BREATHING AS ONE RESEARCH TOUR
BREATHING AS ONE RESEARCH TOUR If we are to be successful in raising the profile and urgency of lung disease, and in increasing much-needed support for lung research in Canada, we need to collaborate as never before -- working together as a nation to help Canadians breathe easier. That’s the idea behind the Breathing as One Campaign for Lung Research. Based on the principles of collaboration, the Breathing as One Campaign will support The Lung Association's National Respiratory Research Strategy (NRRS) in bolstering and elevating respiratory research in Canada. The National Respiratory Research Strategy (NRRS) represents an exciting and bold plan to strengthen lung research in Canada, and make a real difference in the lives of the one in five Canadians affected by lung disease. Through this strategy, The Lung Association is committed to increasing muchneeded support of lung research, building capacity through mentorship and training, and converting research into concrete guidelines, practices and treatments, designs and policy. As part of the Campaign, this past October, The Lung Association hosted a Behind-theScenes Research Tour at one of the leading centres for investigative studies into lung disease, the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health.
During the tour, guests learned about exciting innovations in the area of respiratory health and had the opportunity to see research in action with up-and-coming investigators. During the post-tour reception, internationally-renowned researcher, Dr. Paul O’Byrne and Breathing as One Ambassador, Dr. Dawn Bowdish, spoke to the guests about the incredible work being done at the Firestone Institute and McMaster University, and of the potential for breathing breakthroughs of tomorrow.
We were fortunate to have three of our Lung Health Ambassadors attend this event – Bev Black from St. Catharines, and Lou and Shirley Mels from Brantford. “There was so much to see - things I could have never imagined before”, said Bev Black. “Dr. Martin Kolb from the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health showed us the lungs of a rat. And I could not believe the research on stem cells! Dr. Kolb spoke to us about injecting one’s own body stem cells for the future stem cell treatment of lung diseases such as COPD”. Bev was especially overwhelmed by the sincerity of young researchers at Firestone. “You can just hear the excitement in their voices and see the sparkle in their eyes”. Lou and Shirley Mels were also very impressed with the results of so many clinical trials and with the young researchers. Lou said, “I could not believe that so many intelligent young people are working to help people with COPD, like us”. Bev Black
In the spirit of collaboration that Breathing as One represents, the research tour connected new individuals to the cause, facilitated deeper relationships, and helped raise the profile of lung research.
Bev Black and her friend Kathy, Lou and Shirley Mels
The commitment of lung health leaders such as Dr. Paul O’Byrne and Dr. Dawn Bowdish is critical to the success of the Campaign as we elevate awareness of lung disease, draw new donors to our cause, and engage Canadians from coast to coast. To learn more about the Breathing as One Campaign, please email Lindsey Quarrie at [email protected]
During the tour, guests learned about exciting innovations in the area of respiratory health and had the opportunity to see research in action with up-and-coming investigators. During the post-tour reception, internationally-renowned researcher, Dr. Paul O’Byrne and Breathing as One Ambassador, Dr. Dawn Bowdish, spoke to the guests about the incredible work being done at the Firestone Institute and McMaster University, and of the potential for breathing breakthroughs of tomorrow.
We were fortunate to have three of our Lung Health Ambassadors attend this event – Bev Black from St. Catharines, and Lou and Shirley Mels from Brantford. “There was so much to see - things I could have never imagined before”, said Bev Black. “Dr. Martin Kolb from the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health showed us the lungs of a rat. And I could not believe the research on stem cells! Dr. Kolb spoke to us about injecting one’s own body stem cells for the future stem cell treatment of lung diseases such as COPD”. Bev was especially overwhelmed by the sincerity of young researchers at Firestone. “You can just hear the excitement in their voices and see the sparkle in their eyes”. Lou and Shirley Mels were also very impressed with the results of so many clinical trials and with the young researchers. Lou said, “I could not believe that so many intelligent young people are working to help people with COPD, like us”. Bev Black
In the spirit of collaboration that Breathing as One represents, the research tour connected new individuals to the cause, facilitated deeper relationships, and helped raise the profile of lung research.
Bev Black and her friend Kathy, Lou and Shirley Mels
The commitment of lung health leaders such as Dr. Paul O’Byrne and Dr. Dawn Bowdish is critical to the success of the Campaign as we elevate awareness of lung disease, draw new donors to our cause, and engage Canadians from coast to coast. To learn more about the Breathing as One Campaign, please email Lindsey Quarrie at [email protected]
