Respiratory Health Association

SAVE THE DATE: Whiskey Barrel Nite is back for a second year!

Come sip, savor, and support to make a difference in the fight against lung disease!

Tickets available at RespHealth.org/Whiskey

🚨🚨🚨 Raffle ticket sales end tomorrow! Get yours today!

Last chance to purchase your general raffle tickets online is July 31st. You do not need to be present to win.
The whiskey raffle online ticket sales will stay open through Aug. 13th. The more you purchase the higher your chances.
Money raised through our raffle support the Respiratory Heath Associations mission of Healthy Lungs and Clean Air for All!!!
RespHealth.org/Cow

RHA is thrilled to announce the hiring of Robert D. Anderson as RHA’s new President and CEO, effective today!

Rob brings over 20 years of nonprofit and fundraising experience to RHA. In his previous role as Assistant Vice President of Mission at Catholic Extension, Rob led strategy for funding decisions that impacted 15 million people in underserved communities across the United States. He also spearheaded the award-winning LionsFund campaign at Loyola Marymount University.

Rob holds a business and information systems degree and an MBA from Loyola Marymount University. He lives in Chicago with his wife Megan and their three children.

We’re excited to start this new chapter with Rob and are confident in the fresh perspectives and innovative ideas he will bring. Thank you for your continued support as we work towards healthy lungs and clean air for all.

Read the full statement on our website.

https://resphealth.org/robert-d-anderson-named-respiratory-health-association-president-and-chief-executive-officer/

Residents of River Forest, IL face serious health risks from idling trains. Prolonged exposure to a train's diesel exhaust can lead to severe respiratory issues and other health problems.

Check out what RHA's Director of Environmental Health Programs, Brian Urbaszewski has to say.

West suburban residents say freight trains idle, releasing fumes, for hours and even days at a time Residents in west suburban River Forest say idling trains that sit for hours, and sometimes days, creating loud noise and releasing engine fumes are causing them to have concerns for their health.

RHA would like to welcome our new To***co Program Manager, Opeyemi Odueyungbo. With experience in the Illinois Department of Human Services, her work will ensure RHA to***co cessation programs will continue to change lives!

RHA would like to welcome our new Grants Administrator, Gayathri Rao. She will be supporting the work we do in pursuing and managing our grants, ensuring RHA programs are well funded for years to come!

Step outside your home. What do you see, smell, hear? It might be summertime but the warm, sunny days can also mean triggers for your asthma and allergies.

Triggers are things that bother sensitive airways and lead to asthma episodes. There are two types of triggers: allergens and irritants. Allergens are specific to a person, while irritants affect everyone. Not all triggers affect people the same way. This is why it’s important to know your triggers and how to avoid them.

Learn how in our newest blog post!

https://resphealth.org/asthma-triggers-and-how-to-avoid-them/

CowaLUNGa Bike Tour is coming up quick. Are you registered yet?

"We must trust our health professionals and researchers on the risks associated with gas stove pollution," said RHA's Director of Environmental Health Programs, Brian Urbaszewski, in a Letter to the Editor of the Chicago Tribune, detailing how the public cannot be fooled by the industry spin on gas stoves.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/07/17/letters-071724-donald-trump-assassination-attempt-joe-biden/?share=unsuarba2n001aths7ta

SAVE THE DATE: RHA's Living Better Together Conference is back in person for it's 20th anniversary!

Get your tickets today at https://resphealth.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/resphealth/eventRegistration.jsp?event=878&

Purchase your raffle tickets for a chance to win one of our wonderful prizes at https://resphealth.org/cow

“We need support from insurance payers, large employers, and other areas of healthcare to address the needs of family caregivers of COPD patients,” said Joel Africk, RHA President and CEO in a presentation to the Caregiver Workgroup within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Right now informal family caregivers are filling the gap and this is not sustainable in the long-term.”

Read the full press release: https://resphealth.org/respiratory-health-associations-president-and-ceo-joel-africk-presents-to-cms-caregiver-workgroup/

First look at the new medals!
Sign up today at https://resphealth.org/cow!

Register today and receive a one of a kind CowaLUNGa medal!
https://resphealth.org/cow

COVID-19 cases are on the rise in 39 states, including Illinois. As you enjoy the holiday weekend, it's crucial to stay protected. Make sure you're up-to-date on your COVID vaccines and make sure to get tested if you feel sick. 💉

Did you know that during and after holidays celebrated with fireworks, soot levels in a given area are 2 to 10 times greater than on an average day.

Make sure to stay safe this 4th of July!

Learn more below!

Drone shows dazzle, but are Americans ready to add them to July 4th traditions? Drone light shows have emerged in recent years as an alternative to fireworks, addresses growing concerns about noise, safety and the environment.

“We’re asking them to take an action that would protect the health of Illinois residents” said RHA Director of Environmental Health Programs, Brian Urbaszewski, of RHA's decision to petition the Illinois Pollution Control Board to ban the sale of all new gas-powered cars and a large percentage of diesel trucks by 2035.

Most new gas, diesel vehicle sales would be banned in Illinois by 2035 under proposal Modeled after a California policy, advocacy groups want Illinois to set a schedule that puts more electric vehicles on the state’s roads over the next decade.

Check out why our members say the Associates Board is important to them!

Connect with other young professionals like them, and learn more about joining our Associates Board at https://resphealth.org/about-us/our-people/associates-board/

Wildfires and air quality alert days are coming soon! Make sure you're prepared with the tips below!

🚨🚨New COPD Caregiver's Toolkit video!!

Self-Care for COPD Caregivers Caring for someone with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is important, but it’s also important to take care of yourself. Looking after your own p...

Beep Beep – Historic funding coming through! 🚌
EPA is awarding nearly $900 million to support the purchase of more than 3,400 clean school buses, 92% of which will be zero-emission electric. ⚡
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/biden-harris-administration-announces-recipients-nearly-900-million-clean-school-buses

Join us at the Health Professional Power Hour to learn about diesel pollution and its accompanying health concerns from medium- and heavy-duty trucks in Illinois, and how take action to reduce their impacts.

Register now at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckdOGhqz0uHdIxAzkQRaskiG6y4lkv8apM #/registration

Thank you so much for joining us at RHA's special Summer Reception!

Congratulations to our 2024 Solovy Award recipient, Dr. Russell Buhr, and to RHA's President and CEO, Joel Africk, for his remarkable 34 years of dedicated service to Respiratory Health Association.

Please find the full photo album at 108826165@N06/albums/72177720317816122" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://www.flickr.com/photos/108826165@N06/albums/72177720317816122

Check out Senior Manager of Policy & Advocacy, Kelly Nichols' Letter to the Editor detailing how the new amendment capping the cost of inhalers will help thousands of Illinois families.

Asthma inhalers are now more affordable in Illinois, and that's a breath of fresh air for many The Illinois General Assembly recently passed an amendment that caps the co-pay of an asthma inhaler at $25 per 30-day supply.

Respiratory Health Association is proud to present the 2024 Solovy Award for Advancement in COPD to Russell Buhr, MD, PhD, FACP, ATSF.

The $25,000 award will allow Dr. Buhr to further his ongoing COPD research to close the gap between scientific advances at the bench and implementing them at the bedside.

Read the full press release below.

Dr. Russell Buhr Receives 2024 Solovy Award for Advancement in COPD - Respiratory Health Association June 6, 2024 – CHICAGO – Respiratory Health Association (RHA) is proud to present the 2024 Solovy Award for Advancement in COPD to Russell Buhr, MD, PhD, FACP, ATSF. The $25,000 award will allow Dr. Buhr to further his ongoing COPD research to close the gap between scientific advances at the ben...

Respiratory Health Association is proud to present the 2024 Lung Cancer Research Award to Jing Liu, PhD.

Dr. Liu will receive a one-time award of $100,000 to conduct research focused on understanding the mechanisms that regulate lung inflammation and injury, including targeting the gene regulator Miz-1, which promotes tumor growth and suppresses the immune response.

Read the full press release below.

Dr. Jing Liu Receives 2024 Lung Cancer Research Award - Respiratory Health Association June 6, 2024 – CHICAGO – Respiratory Health Association is proud to present the 2024 Lung Cancer Research Award to Jing Liu, PhD. Dr. Liu will receive a one-time award of $100,000 to conduct research focused on understanding the mechanisms that regulate lung inflammation and injury, including ta...

“'The problem is, you have the oldest, dirtiest locomotives in the most vulnerable, most heavily impacted communities — it’s the worst place for them to be,' said Brian Urbaszewski, director of environmental health programs at the Respiratory Health Association, a Chicago nonprofit."

Advocates meet in Chicago to call for new limits on freight train emissions: ‘Our lives literally depend on reform’ As the nation’s busiest rail hub, Chicago figures prominently in push to update the EPA’s 16-year-old emissions standards.

RHA would like to welcome our new Finance Director, Zishan Zahid. With experience as an Accountant, Controller, and Comptroller, 'Z' will provide the financial expertise necessary to allow RHA to continue making a difference in the community.