Cycling for The Nations Lung Health

--Students cycling across Canada with a goal to raise $30, 000
for The Canadian Lung Association—

More than three million Canadians cope with serious respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, influenza, pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis and respiratory distress syndrome (1). More alarmingly, the top five respiratory diseases account for nearly one out of every five deaths in Canada (2). With the urbanization of our communities, use of chemicals on our foods, environmental pollutants in our work environments (e.g. second hand smoke, cleaning products, pesticides, and exhaust), and decreased physical activity the incidence of lung diseases is on the rise. This summer five young Canadians will be crossing the country one breath at a time to combat these staggering statistics. “Our quest this summer is to cycle 7,400 km across Canada to promote healthy lifestyles and raise $30,000 for critical research and programs funded by the Canadian Lung Association.”

The Biking For Breath Team is comprised of Alisha Mills, Christine Stables, Cameron Cunningham, Jennica Rawstron, and Klara Schwab five motivated friends who all met during their studies at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver BC.

The Biking For Breath journey begins at 9 am on June 10, 2006 as the team cycles out of the Pacific Ocean from Vanier Park in Vancouver BC. The team will be traveling through all ten provinces, encouraging everyone in the country to stand up for respiratory health. The team will be traveling all the way to St. John’s Newfoundland where they will reach the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in late August.

Support the Biking for Breath Team reach their goal by donating to the Canadian Lung Association today.

Together we can make a difference!

References:
1) Towards a national Framework for Respiratory Disease in Canada: Environmental Scan Report. February 15, 2006
http://www.lung.ca/media-medias/news-nouvelles_e.php?id=35
2) WHO strategy for prevention control of Chronic Respiratory Diseases