World Lung Foundation Announces $30,550 Grant for Child Asthma in Kenya
Monday, April 19, 2010
Contact: Jorge Alday, Public Relations Manager
Comprehensive Treatment for Children in Kenya with Chronic Asthma
(New York, New York) - World Lung Foundation today announced that its 20-member running team raised $30,550 to provide life-saving asthma treatment to more than 1,700 children in Kenya. The money, which was raised during the annual New York City Half-Marathon, will fund a grant to the Kenyan Association for Prevention of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (KAPTLD).
One hundred percent of the money raised by the runners will directly fund comprehensive asthma treatment in Kenya, including diagnosis, medicine, inhalers, case management, staff training, as well as a public education program. WLF also received generous financial support from Signature Bank.
WLF staff member Stephen Hamill and volunteer runner Mark Fussell are in good spirits at the start of the 2010 NYC Half-Marathon. WLF raised $30,550 for asthma treatment in Kenya this year.
This is WLF's fourth year sponsoring a team for the NYC Half-Marathon. To date, more than $125,000 has been raised for KAPTLD's child asthma efforts.
"Asthma is a chronic lung disease which can be impoverishing for the family and can lead to disturbing emotional as well as physical problems," said Dr. Jeremiah Chakaya, Executive Secretary of the Kenyan Association for Prevention of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease. "WLF has been very helpful to us, and we are very thankful to the individuals who have run in the New York City Half-Marathon to raise money for asthma care."
"I am honored to have run with such a committed and enthusiastic team for the fourth year in a row," said Peter Baldini, Chief Executive Officer, World Lung Foundation. "Everyone, from the runners to the volunteers and supporters, has dedicated his or her Half-Marathon experience to the millions of children who suffer from one of the world's most neglected, and most treatable, lung diseases."
It is estimated that ten percent of children
in Kenya between the ages of 10 and 14 have
asthma, 60 percent of whom suffer from
persistent asthma. According to the World
Health Organization, asthma is the most common
chronic disease among children. Undiagnosed and
under-treated, most asthma-related deaths occur
in low- and lower-middle income countries.
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About World Lung Foundation
World Lung Foundation was established in response to the global epidemic of lung disease, which kills 10 million people each year. The organization improves global lung health by improving local capacity to conduct research, develop public policy and deliver public health education. The organization's areas of emphasis are tobacco control, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, asthma, and child lung health. For more information, please visit worldlungfoundation.org