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On Air<br />
Helping to reduce the burden of asthma in WA SUMMER 2017<br />
Inside this issue<br />
Asthma & COPD Telehealth Service<br />
Asthma & Bushfire Smoke<br />
Manage My Asthma Kids Club<br />
Research Awards Recipients<br />
ECU Freeway Bike Hike for Asthma<br />
and more....<br />
www.asthmaaustralia.org.au/wa | 1800 ASTHMA | ask@asthmawa.org.au
Contents<br />
Office: 36 Ord Street, West Perth<br />
Postal Address: PO Box 864,<br />
West Perth, WA 6872<br />
Phone: (08) 9289 3600<br />
Facsimile: (08) 9289 3601<br />
Email: ask@asthmawa.org.au<br />
Patron: Her Excellency Governor<br />
Kerry Sanderson AO<br />
Vice Patron: Dr Ken Fitch AM<br />
www.asthmaaustralia.org.au/wa<br />
Thank you to our Major Partners<br />
Asthma Matters 2<br />
Asthma & COPD Telehealth 3<br />
Deanne’s story - Asthma, it’s Serious 5<br />
Asthma & Bushfire Smoke 7<br />
Manage My Asthma Kids Club Update 9<br />
Big Rock Toyota supporting WA Kids 10<br />
Research Award Night & Recipients 11<br />
Health Professional Symposium 12<br />
ECU Freeway Bike Hike for Asthma 13<br />
Introducing New Staff 15<br />
BUPA supporting AFWA 16<br />
Donate to the asthma cause 17<br />
Asthma Foundation WA Privacy Policy: Asthma Foundation WA (AFWA) is<br />
committed to the protection of private information. A full copy of the AFWA<br />
Privacy Policy is available online at asthmaaustralia.org.au or by calling 08 9289<br />
3600. **Disclaimer: The material in ‘OnAir’ must not be reproduced in any<br />
form without express permission from the Editor. Whilst all reasonable efforts<br />
have been made to ensure the accuracy of the content, no responsibility can be<br />
taken for error or omission.<br />
Sign up to our online e-news to keep informed about the work that Asthma<br />
Foundation WA does and about asthma-related news, health advice, appeals, events,<br />
campaigns and research.<br />
Email marketing@asthmawa.org.au or signup online at asthmaaustralia.org.au/wa<br />
Christmas<br />
Opening Hours<br />
The Asthma Foundation WA<br />
office will be closed from<br />
the 24th December<br />
and will reopen on the<br />
5th of January.<br />
We hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Safe New Year!
Asthma Matters<br />
It is my privilege to be writing to you as the<br />
current Executive Director of Asthma Foundation<br />
Western Australia (AFWA) after the departure of<br />
CEO David Johnson. David’s service to AFWA has<br />
helped make the Foundation what it is today and<br />
to set it up for even greater outcomes for West<br />
Australian’s affected by asthma.<br />
Since taking on this executive role, as different to<br />
my position of President, I have seen first hand<br />
the excellent work done by the staff engaged<br />
at AFWA in pursuit of reducing the burden<br />
of asthma in WA. Change is always a difficult<br />
thing for any organisation to undergo whilst<br />
maintaining positivity and growth. The AFWA<br />
team have done both and I am proud of every<br />
one of them. Thank you team.<br />
The newly launched Asthma and COPD<br />
Telehealth Service is a major step to achieve a<br />
long held ambition of bringing AFWA services to<br />
regional and country Western Australia. Working<br />
with WA Country Health we now have education<br />
for patients and training for health professionals;<br />
all carried out from our offices in West Perth<br />
via high-quality teleconferencing. It is early days<br />
however already we are seeing both patients<br />
and health professionals enthusiastically take up<br />
this free service. Find out all the details about<br />
Telehealth on pg 3.<br />
The Manage My Asthma Kids Club was launched<br />
this year and has already grown to over 200<br />
members. If you have a child with asthma – mild<br />
through to severe – check out our article on pg 9<br />
about the Kids Club’s interactive and fun activities<br />
promoting asthma health and how to join.<br />
Before we know it the 2017 ECU Freeway Bike<br />
Hike for Asthma will be here. Save Sunday, 26th<br />
March in your diary next year as a family fun day<br />
or challenge yourself with the 60km Full Hike!<br />
Don’t miss out on seriously great benefits such<br />
as discounted tickets and amazing prizes when<br />
you purchase early bird tickets for the hike! These<br />
special tickets are available for purchase online<br />
from December 1st on our event website:<br />
www.freewaybikehike.com.au.<br />
Join us for the best ECU Freeway Bike Hike for<br />
Asthma yet to promote the asthma cause and<br />
raise more money for asthma than ever before!<br />
As you can see, the programs AFWA runs provide<br />
great benefits to asthmatics and professionals<br />
alike and the majority of what we deliver is FREE.<br />
Please help support these great programs and<br />
join in making our major fundraiser, the ECU<br />
Freeway Bike Hike for Asthma a huge success.<br />
We look forward to seeing you and your families<br />
there on Sunday March 26th!<br />
Thank you for your ongoing support whether you<br />
are an asthma sufferer, carer or contributor.<br />
Tony Carter<br />
Executive Director<br />
Online Asthma Shop<br />
www.asthmafoundationwashop.org<br />
Asthma Foundation WA’s online shop offers a wide range of<br />
products to help you manage your asthma.<br />
Become a member of Asthma Foundation WA and receive 10%<br />
discount on all shop products!<br />
2
Asthma & COPD Telehealth Service<br />
AFWA is now just a (video) call away.<br />
People living in the Wheatbelt, Great Southern<br />
and the Goldfields can now speak to AFWA’s<br />
respiratory educators about their asthma, chronic<br />
bronchitis or emphysema without leaving town,<br />
thanks to the new innovative telehealth service<br />
launched in September 2016.<br />
The Asthma and COPD telehealth service uses<br />
phone and video conferencing technology to<br />
connect rural people who have problems breathing<br />
or are feeling breathless with AFWA’s experienced<br />
Clinical Respiratory and Asthma Educators. People<br />
can either visit their GP, Health Centre or Hospital<br />
to be connected to the service, or they can simply<br />
use their home computer.<br />
Colin Easther, 74, resides in Northam and suffers<br />
from moderate emphysema. The benefit of using<br />
this service has allowed Colin to simply visit his<br />
local Northam Hospital to speak to his respiratory<br />
educator instead of travelling over an hour away<br />
to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth.<br />
“It’s very convenient, I just walk into a room and<br />
talk to her on a television set,” he said. “Last time,<br />
my respiratory educator gave me a demonstration<br />
of how to use the new equipment using a<br />
mannequin. It was very easy to see and I could ask<br />
her questions straight away, it’s a good system.”<br />
Colin also highlighted the ease of the Telehealth<br />
technology, stating “…you don’t need to be tech<br />
savvy, all you need to do is adjust the volume<br />
knob.”<br />
This service is not a replacement for existing<br />
asthma and COPD services within these regions<br />
and has been designed to work in collaboration<br />
with local doctors to help their patients, through<br />
filling gaps in asthma and COPD education and<br />
clinical support.<br />
It will help to increase and improve AFWA’s reach<br />
to regions of WA that were previously inaccessible<br />
to our Perth metropolitan based team of Asthma<br />
Educators. By ensuring all people residing in rural<br />
and regional Western Australia receive the support<br />
and care they need at the right place and time,<br />
we are one step closer to achieving our mission<br />
of reducing the burden of asthma and related<br />
respiratory conditions on the West Australian<br />
Community.<br />
The Asthma & COPD Telehealth Service is the<br />
result of a partnership between the WA Country<br />
Health Service (WACHS) and the WA Primary<br />
Health Alliance, the Country WA Primary Health<br />
Network and the Asthma Foundation WA (AFWA).<br />
3
Colin Easther<br />
Colin is typical of many people in country WA:<br />
busy with life and community involvement. He’s<br />
the founder of a respiratory condition support<br />
group, Wheatbelt Wheezers. However, Colin was<br />
interested to learn more about Asthma & COPD<br />
Telehealth, so he had a chat via videoconference<br />
with an educator.<br />
Following the consultation, Colin has made some<br />
positive changes to take better care of his moderate<br />
emphysema.<br />
Here’s what Colin said of his experience:<br />
“The service is good; I just walk into a room and<br />
talk to her on the television set. It’s very private and<br />
you don’t need to be tech-savvy, all you need to<br />
do is adjust the volume knob. The videoconference<br />
was very clear.<br />
Last time, my respiratory educator gave me a<br />
demonstration of how to use the new equipment<br />
using a mannequin and it was very easy to see and<br />
I could ask her questions straight away.<br />
The service makes contact with people that want to<br />
be contacted, in a convenient way. I will recommend<br />
the service to the other people in my COPD support<br />
group. It cost me nothing.”<br />
How does the Telehealth service work?<br />
The service uses videoconferencing to provide telehealth appointments, linking you with a respiratory<br />
educator via a computer or television screen. You might be at your local hospital, health centre,<br />
community resource centre or telehealth-enabled GP surgery. Where there is good enough internet<br />
connection you may even link into the appointment in your own home via a computer or mobile<br />
Is it an established technology?<br />
Videoconferencing is used every day in WA to link consumers in Country WA with specialists in Perth<br />
and regional hospitals. Asthma & COPD Telehealth uses this same infrastructure around the state,<br />
concentrating on asthma and COPD education and support.<br />
You won’t be required to operate the telehealth equipment yourself, unless you choose to have the<br />
appointment at your home.<br />
Will my doctor be kept informed?<br />
The Asthma & COPD Telehealth service works in partnership with local GPs and healthcare professionals<br />
to ensure continuity of care for patients. Your GP and any other healthcare professionals you nominate<br />
will receive regular communication from the respiratory educators. You can also choose to have a<br />
member of your local healthcare team join you for your consultation.<br />
What happens during a consultation?<br />
You can expect an appointment to be very similar to a face-to-face consultation where you can talk<br />
about your asthma or COPD, ask questions or raise concerns. You can also have a support person or<br />
other members of your healthcare team join you for your appointment. The appointment carries with<br />
it the same privacy and confidentiality assurances as face-to-face consultations.<br />
How do I register for Telehealth?<br />
To access this service you can be referred by your GP or Health Professional or<br />
arrange your own appointment directly:<br />
Phone: 1800 ASTHMA (1800 278 462)<br />
Email: Telehealth@asthmawa.org.au<br />
4
Asthma..It’s serious<br />
Deanne’s Story<br />
Have you ever been laser focused on one<br />
breath? The one breath that you are willing<br />
with everything in your being to fill your lungs;<br />
the one breath that you are fighting to keep;<br />
the one breath that you are so scared will not<br />
easily move through your body the way that<br />
everything in your learning about good health<br />
promises it should? I have. And it sucks.<br />
I’m a 54-year-old woman,happily married to the<br />
love of my life. I grew up in Perth, spent 27 years<br />
living in Melbourne and returned “home” to WA<br />
in 2010. I had never had respiratory problems of<br />
any kind in Melbourne, or indeed in Perth as a kid<br />
but on arrival back in WA I got a horrendous cold<br />
that resulted in sinusitis and eventually surgery to<br />
have my sinuses drained. Somewhere along the<br />
way I started finding it difficult to get my breath.<br />
A childhood friend, a nurse and life-long Asthma<br />
sufferer, suggested I look at using a Ventolin. I<br />
went to the Doctor, she tested me and said yes,<br />
I was borderline asthmatic and that it would<br />
probably be a good idea to have a puffer when I<br />
needed it. The doctor also gave me some Seretide<br />
and suggested I use it morning and night and<br />
wean myself off when it “felt right. You’ll know,”<br />
she said confidently.<br />
I didn’t know. I felt like I was an imposter. Not<br />
really an asthmatic. Who contracts Asthma at 50?<br />
Isn’t it just a kids disease and you grow out of it?<br />
How do I know when I should take this medicine<br />
or not?<br />
I had good days and bad days but the bad days<br />
were hell. Up to 12, 15 times a day I’d be sucking<br />
the life out of my Ventolin but the breath never<br />
was easy, my lungs hurt, my throat hurt; I was<br />
forever thinking “I’d better go to the hospital, I<br />
might die”. My husband was worried and I was<br />
frightened. It went on like that for a year.<br />
My nurse friend said I should go and talk to someone<br />
at the Asthma Foundation WA. OMG! What a lifechanging<br />
event. Two hours of informative, caring,<br />
thoughtful advice.<br />
Models that I could see, touch and understand<br />
what was going on in my body. Demonstrations<br />
of spacers. Relevant data on what Asthma was<br />
and how I could best manage it in my life. All<br />
of it delivered with empathy, understanding and<br />
genuine desire to help and support me.<br />
I ended up in tears of relief. I wasn’t alone, I<br />
wasn’t crazy - I just had a doctor who really wasn’t<br />
the full bottle on Asthma. I came out of that<br />
meeting armed with information, two spacers and<br />
a determination to find a new doctor who was<br />
experienced with Asthma treatment. I found my<br />
new doctor, my Asthma is well controlled and I<br />
haven’t used my Ventolin in 6 months.<br />
Thank you Asthma Foundation WA – you gave me<br />
back my life, one easy breath after the other.<br />
Deanne Tindale<br />
Do you have an asthma story to share?<br />
AFWA would love to hear your personal experience with<br />
asthma and any experiences you have had .<br />
By sharing your asthma story you will also inspire, educate<br />
and connect the wider WA community affected by asthma.<br />
To share your story please email ask@asthmawa.org.au or<br />
alternatively contact us 08 9289 3600.<br />
5
Did you know?<br />
One in ten<br />
West Australians<br />
have<br />
asthma<br />
4 0 0<br />
Australians die<br />
from asthma<br />
every year and<br />
50% were<br />
preventable<br />
Asthma costs<br />
Australia<br />
over<br />
$28<br />
billion<br />
every year<br />
3<br />
children<br />
children in<br />
the average<br />
classroom<br />
have asthma<br />
It is a leading<br />
cause of<br />
missing school<br />
or work<br />
45%<br />
have<br />
poorly controlled<br />
asthma<br />
Asthma is a Top<br />
National Health<br />
Priority<br />
#1<br />
most common<br />
chronic<br />
condition<br />
suffered<br />
by<br />
children<br />
Causes 69,000+<br />
emergency<br />
departments<br />
visits & 37,000+<br />
hospitalisations<br />
annually<br />
Asthma affects<br />
all people<br />
& can<br />
develop<br />
at any<br />
time<br />
of life<br />
At present<br />
there is no cure<br />
Sources: Deloitte Access Economics The Hidden Cost of Asthma 2015<br />
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare http://www.aihw.gov.au/asthma and Emergency department care 2014-15<br />
Asthma...it’s serious.<br />
6
Asthma &<br />
Bushfire Smoke<br />
Prescribed Burnings<br />
Smoke from bushfires and prescribed<br />
burning activities can be a major trigger for<br />
people with asthma and other respiratory<br />
conditions. It’s important to be prepared<br />
and know how to respond if you are exposed<br />
to smoke.<br />
Prescribed burning happens across Western<br />
Australia to reduce bushfire risk, manage native<br />
plants, and protect biodiversity in our parks and<br />
reserves.<br />
This generally takes place in autumn and spring,<br />
and only on certain days when conditions are<br />
suitable. In parts of the state, depending on<br />
seasonal conditions, burns can also happen at<br />
other times of the year. Presence of smoke from<br />
prescribed burns, generally, is in shorter duration<br />
than that of bushfires. To minimise the impact on<br />
people’s health and wellbeing during prescribed<br />
burns, consideration is given to the amount of<br />
smoke that will be produced, and the direction<br />
and area it will cover.<br />
What should I do?<br />
Tips to stay safe and well if there is bushfire smoke in your area:<br />
• Stay indoors when there is smoke (unless you are advised to evacuate); close all windows and doors<br />
and block air vents.<br />
• If you have an air conditioner, use it - set it to recycle, at home and in the car.<br />
• Avoid doing physical activity outdoors while smoke is around.<br />
• Continue using your asthma preventer medication as prescribed by your doctor.<br />
• Always have your asthma reliever medication (blue/grey puffer) with you, and use it as soon as you<br />
get symptoms - to prevent them from getting worse. If available, use a spacer as it helps get more<br />
medication into your lungs.<br />
• If your asthma reliever medication isn’t working, or needed every 2-3 hours or more, seek urgent<br />
medical advice by calling 000 for an ambulance.<br />
• If you don’t have your asthma medication with you, or you can’t access your house to get it, your<br />
community pharmacy can provide emergency asthma medication even if you don’t have a script or<br />
money to pay for it.<br />
• Older people, children, and those working at the fire front are most at risk, so be aware and if you<br />
notice someone having trouble access help fast.<br />
• If you don’t have an Asthma Action Plan, or are unsure what to do in an asthma emergency, follow<br />
the Asthma First Aid procedure found at: www.asthmaaustralia.org.au/wa/about-asthma/resources<br />
7
Asthma App<br />
The mobile asthma<br />
teaching tool!<br />
Our new Asthma App for iPhone or iPad<br />
has all the information needed about<br />
medications, asthma first aid and device<br />
technique videos right at your fingertips!<br />
Useful Contacts<br />
Utilities<br />
Western Power 13 13 51<br />
Alinta Gas 13 13 52<br />
Water Corporation 13 13 75<br />
Telstra (for residential telephone faults) 13 22 03<br />
Services<br />
Anglicare Emergency Relief Western Australia Fremantle 9325 7033<br />
Australian Red Cross www.redcross.org.au 1800 246 850<br />
Centrecare 9325 6644<br />
Centrelink 13 28 50<br />
Department of Child Protection and Family Support<br />
Crisis Care<br />
9223 1111<br />
Crisis Care Countral Free Call 1800 199 008<br />
Central Office 9222 2555<br />
Central Office Country Free Call 1800 622 258<br />
Department of Fire & Emergency Services (DFES) 9395 9300<br />
DFES Chaplain 9485 7800<br />
Homeless Advisory Service, Department of Housing 1800 065 892<br />
Insurance Council of Australia 1300 728 228<br />
Lifeline 13 11 14<br />
RSPCA WA 9209 9300<br />
State Emergency Services (SES) 132 500<br />
The Samaritans 9381 5555<br />
WA Natural Disaster Relief & Recovery Arrangements 9395 9404<br />
The Asthma App provides easy access to:<br />
• the latest asthma information<br />
• asthma medication and devices<br />
• device technique videos<br />
• asthma action plans<br />
• asthma first aid steps<br />
• and the Australian Asthma Handbook Guide<br />
Download the App for<br />
FREE at the iTunes app<br />
store, simple search<br />
“Asthma” and look for<br />
the blue balloon.<br />
8
Manage My Asthma<br />
KIDS CLUB<br />
The FREE Manage My Asthma<br />
Kids Club is a great place for<br />
kids affected by asthma to come<br />
together and feel a sense of<br />
belonging whilst learning valuable<br />
asthma management skills and<br />
information about the condition.<br />
The club makes learning fun<br />
through games and competitions<br />
and a special welcome pack<br />
in the mail when they join up<br />
which includes their very own<br />
membership card, asthma<br />
information and fun resources!<br />
Members then receive newsletters<br />
which contain lots of asthma<br />
information, competitions, stories<br />
of kids with asthma and discount<br />
offers on our asthma shop.<br />
Some happy members with their<br />
special membership packs<br />
Join the fun and register for free online at:<br />
www.managemyasthma.com.au<br />
Supported by<br />
9
Big Rock Toyota helps<br />
clear the air for WA kids<br />
Big Rock Toyota recently pledged its<br />
support to the Asthma Foundation WA<br />
(AFWA), assisting the Foundation to deliver<br />
vital asthma education and support to the<br />
thousands of people living with asthma<br />
throughout WA.<br />
Asthma Educator Kate visits Geraldton to educate with Puff<br />
Big Rock Toyota has provided AFWA with<br />
a brand new Rav4 allowing transportation<br />
of the Kids Club mascot Puff the Dragon<br />
throughout the WA community.<br />
“Big Rock Toyota are extremely proud to be supporting Asthma Foundation WA,” said Big<br />
Rock Toyota Dealer Principal, Mark Branchi. “We appreciate the hard work that goes on at<br />
the Foundation and feel privileged to be involved.“<br />
“We look forward to working with the Foundation in the future and doing everything we<br />
can to help raise awareness of Asthma.”<br />
Asthma Foundation WA Executive Director Tony Carter echoed these sentiments; “AFWA<br />
is very grateful to Big Rock Toyota for their support. Having an organisation like Big Rock<br />
Toyota behind us increases our work in the community and we look forward to continuing<br />
this partnership for many years to come.”<br />
Visit www.bigrocktoyota.com.au to check out their wide range of new, demo and<br />
pre-owned vehicles, parts and affordable servicing.<br />
Puff is a very busy dragon!<br />
Keep up with Puff’s latest adventures by following Asthma Foundation WA on Facebook! !<br />
Puff visiting PMH<br />
Puff visiting Mundijong Coles<br />
Puff with his new friend at the<br />
Telethon Expo<br />
Puff at Mundijong Football<br />
Club<br />
Puff with his Health Services<br />
Team<br />
Puff at Telethon Expo<br />
Puff at Asthma Friendly<br />
School; John XXIII College<br />
Puff gets a very special hug<br />
10
Research Awards Night<br />
L-R Backrow: Assoc Prof Graham Hall, Dr Thomas Isoifidis,<br />
Prof Britta Regli-von Ungern-Sternberg, Dr Jean-Francois<br />
Lauzon-Jozet, Board Members Cathal Smith & Tony Carter.<br />
Front: Dr Christina Gamez, Niamh Troy<br />
On Monday the 17th October, over $107,500 was awarded to four successful grant recipients, at the annual<br />
Research Grant Awards evening held at Tompkins on Swan Function Centre.<br />
The evening cocktail function was attended by grant recipient finalists, previous grant winners, corporate partners<br />
of AFWA, as well as their board members and staff.<br />
The guest speaker for the event was Professor Mark Everard – McCusker Foundation Chair in Paediatric Respiratory<br />
Medicine / The University of Western Australia.<br />
Christian, Cathal Smith, Tony Carter, Jenny Howson Jennifer Choveaux and Dianne Branchini Shelley Harwood, Kate Green and Li Ping Chung<br />
Leonie Munday, Erin Hurson, Keith Munday Mark Everard Members of the AFWA MASAC<br />
11
2016 Research Grant Award Recipients:<br />
Project Grant - Awarded $40,000<br />
Project Title: Improving safety for young<br />
children with asthma<br />
Professor Graham HALL, Professor Britta<br />
Regli-von Ungern-Sternberg and Dr Anoop<br />
RAMGOLAM<br />
Telethon Kids Institute and Princess Margaret Hospital<br />
New Investigator Grant - Awarded $30,000<br />
Telethon Kids Institute<br />
Project Title: Gender differences in<br />
immune response to rhinovirus: explication<br />
for the sexual dimorphism of allergic asthma<br />
Dr Jean-Fracois LAUZON-JOZET with<br />
Associate Professor Deborah STRICKLAND<br />
supervising<br />
New Investigator Grant - Awarded $30,000<br />
The University of Western Australia<br />
Project Title: Longer outside, better inside:<br />
outdoor exposure & it’s impact on the gut<br />
microbiota & development of asthma & allergy<br />
Dr Cristina GAMEZ with Professor Susan<br />
PRESCOTT and Professor Jeffrey KEELAN<br />
supervising<br />
Fiona Staniforth PhD Scholarship - Awarded $7,500<br />
The University of Western Australia<br />
Project Title: Defective cell migration as a<br />
mechanism of dysregulted asthmatic airway<br />
repair undergoing general anaesthesia<br />
Dr Thomas IOSIFIDIS with A/Prof Sunalene<br />
DEVADSON and A/Prof Anthony KICIC<br />
supervising<br />
Micki Hardy Scholarship Top Up - Asthma Australia<br />
Project Title: Discovering the immune<br />
inflammatory gene networks underlying the epithelial<br />
response to human rhinovirus in children with asthma<br />
Niamh TROY with A/Prof Anthony BOSCO<br />
supervising<br />
Connecting<br />
Asthma Care<br />
Symposium<br />
Asthma Foundation WA<br />
together with Asthma<br />
Australia took part in the 2016<br />
Asthma Symposia national<br />
series Monday 17th October<br />
held at the Tompkins on Swan<br />
Function Centre in Alfred<br />
Cove.<br />
This all day professional seminar<br />
presented Health Professionals<br />
with a wide and varied program,<br />
incorporating research and clinical<br />
updates through to practical<br />
information and device technique<br />
and gave access to personnel with<br />
asthma expertise and experience.<br />
The keynote speaker of the day<br />
was Dr Juliet Foster, a Research<br />
Psychologist with a special interest in<br />
the patient’s perspective on chronic<br />
disease and self-management.<br />
Dr Foster presented the findings of<br />
a recent study, funded by Asthma<br />
Australia and other research<br />
organisations into the experiences of<br />
patients living with severe refractory<br />
asthma.<br />
Other speakers included:<br />
Dr Tiffany Hughes<br />
Consultant Immunologist and<br />
Immunopathologist<br />
Dr Li Ping Chung<br />
Clinical Lead for Airways Disease at<br />
Fiona Stanley Hospital<br />
Amelia Seselja<br />
Head of Oral Health Promotion,<br />
Australian Dental Association<br />
Dr Scott Claxton<br />
Consultant Respiratory Physician at<br />
Joondalup Health Campus<br />
Dr Ingrid Laing<br />
Research Fellow School of Paediatrics<br />
and Child Health Research at UWA<br />
Telethon Kids Institute<br />
12
1km<br />
TRIKE HIKE<br />
SUNDAY 26 TH MARCH 2017<br />
W H O D O Y O U<br />
W H O D O Y O U<br />
R I D E F O R ?<br />
30km<br />
MID HIKE<br />
10km<br />
MINI HIKE<br />
60km<br />
FULL HIKE<br />
DON’T MISS OUT!<br />
EARLYBIRD TIX NOW ON SALE!<br />
FREEWAYBIKEHIKE.COM.AU<br />
13
Join us for some serious fun!<br />
AFWA’s flagship fundraising and major community event provides all WA bike riders a<br />
unique opportunity to cycle along Perth’s major freeways regardless of age or ability.<br />
Held on Sunday 26th March 2017, the event will aim to raise awareness and funds towards<br />
asthma services and research.<br />
This is a great day out, and with our new family passes your whole family can take part in<br />
this unique event without breaking the bank! All you have to do is:<br />
Register // Recruit // Raise // Ride<br />
Find out more information on our website:<br />
www.freewaybikehike.com.au<br />
Early birds get the prizes!<br />
Receive 10% off your registration and a free<br />
t-shirt when you register for the 2017 ECU<br />
Freeway Bike Hike for Asthma within the early<br />
bird period!<br />
The JCC team at the 2016 ECU Freeway Bike Hike for Asthma<br />
You will also be entered into the draw to<br />
win a voucher worth $1000 from our Early<br />
bird sponsors, Joondalup Cycle City! Check<br />
out their massive range of Road Bikes,<br />
Mountain Bikes, BMX’s, Scooters, Unicycles<br />
and more at www.joondalupcyclecity.com.au<br />
If you have a fundraising idea, please contact Erin Hurson: erin.hurson@asthmawa.org.au<br />
14
Introducing New Staff<br />
Jonathan Clews<br />
Partnerships Manager<br />
Sharifa Dina<br />
Respiratory Educator<br />
Jenny Howson<br />
Health Services Manager<br />
Louise Watson<br />
Adminstration<br />
First job: IT Technician at<br />
John XXIII College<br />
Last job: Business<br />
Development Manager at<br />
Konica Minolta<br />
Best advice I’ve been<br />
given: Treat change as an<br />
opportunity<br />
Biggest risk I’ve ever taken:<br />
Going into business for<br />
myself<br />
Biggest reward: Family and<br />
Friends<br />
Every morning I wish I<br />
could: Inspire someone<br />
new<br />
My Goals for 2017: Take<br />
my career to the next level<br />
First job: Bank Clerk.<br />
Last job: Respiratory<br />
Clinical Nurse Consultant<br />
Best advice I’ve been given:<br />
Have patience in life<br />
Biggest risk I’ve ever taken:<br />
Moving to another country<br />
without a job in hand<br />
Biggest reward: Too many<br />
to list<br />
Every morning I wish I<br />
could: Not sure about that<br />
one<br />
My Goals for 2017: Find<br />
a good balance between<br />
home and work duties<br />
First job: Social Support<br />
Worker for people with<br />
disability and/or mental<br />
illness<br />
Last job: Senior<br />
Development Officer - WA<br />
Health Department<br />
Best advice I’ve been given:<br />
“If it’s for you, it won’t go<br />
past you”<br />
Biggest risk I’ve ever taken:<br />
Leaving everything to move<br />
to WA<br />
Biggest reward: Kids,<br />
family, and the friends that<br />
we’ve made in WA<br />
Every morning I wish I<br />
could: Stay in bed just a<br />
little while longer<br />
First job: Tropical Twist<br />
(supervising kids & hosting<br />
parties)<br />
Last job: Medical<br />
Receptionist<br />
Best advice I’ve been given:<br />
To persevere<br />
Biggest risk I’ve ever taken:<br />
Moving out of home<br />
Biggest reward: Finishing<br />
my degree (Health<br />
Promotion)<br />
Every morning I wish I<br />
could: Travel to a new<br />
place around the world<br />
My Goals for 2017: Save<br />
lots of money and plan a<br />
big holiday<br />
My Goals for 2017: To<br />
relish this new challenge,<br />
meet new people<br />
and achieve all I can,<br />
both personally and<br />
professionally<br />
15<br />
Do you want to live well with asthma?<br />
AFWA offers FREE workshops aimed to increase your<br />
knowledge and confidence in managing asthma.<br />
Learning more about what asthma is and how to<br />
respond to symptoms will help you feel in control of<br />
your condition.<br />
For further information:<br />
Visit our website: asthmaaustralia.org.au/wa<br />
Email: ask@asthmafoundation.org.au<br />
Call: 1800 ASTHMA (278 462)
Thank you Bupa!<br />
Have you seen our friends at Bupa out and about lately?<br />
This winter, the Bupa team raised a whopping $5,744 in donations by giving out<br />
popcorn at various expos and the Perth Royal Show. So if you see their booth, be<br />
sure to stop by and pitch in! What an awesome way to help the asthma cause and<br />
make people smile.<br />
Thanks Bupa and all you popcorn-eaters out there for supporting asthma!<br />
Would you or your company like to fundraise for AFWA?<br />
Contact: Fundraising@asthmawa.org.au<br />
Do you know about the Bupa<br />
Asthma Management Program?<br />
Bupa has partnered with the Asthma Foundation of WA, and offers<br />
an Asthma Management Program, which is provided at no additional<br />
cost to Bupa members on selected levels of Bupa hospital cover.<br />
Knowledge, good self-management and regular<br />
visits to your doctor are the keys to effective<br />
asthma control. The Bupa Asthma Management<br />
Program gives you tools and resources to actively<br />
manage asthma and help to improve your or<br />
your child’s health.<br />
For example, access to:<br />
• an Asthma Action Plan, for you to complete<br />
with your doctor<br />
• an asthma quiz for you to fill out and discuss<br />
with your doctor<br />
• easy-to-read information about current issues<br />
and research on asthma<br />
• a professional nursing telephone service to<br />
answer your queries on general health, or for<br />
asthma specific information, you can contact<br />
the Asthma Foundation WA direct on 1800<br />
ASTHMA<br />
1800 ASTHMA Helpline<br />
Remember, people who follow a written Asthma<br />
Action Plan developed with their doctor are likely<br />
to have fewer asthma flare ups and fewer days<br />
off school or work because of asthma.<br />
Asthma is a condition that may change over<br />
time. Visiting your doctor to review your Asthma<br />
Action Plan on a regular basis, even when you<br />
are well, will ensure that you stay in control of<br />
your asthma, and lead as active and healthy a life<br />
as possible.<br />
To find out more about Bupa coverage<br />
or to become a member, visit<br />
www.bupa.com.au or your<br />
local WA Bupa centre.<br />
Do you want easy access to trusted, quality asthma management<br />
information and advice over the phone?<br />
This asthma support helpline is operated by our experienced and qualified Asthma<br />
Educators who have experience in supporting people with asthma. We can also offer<br />
our follow up telephone service to work with you to help improve your asthma over<br />
time. This free and confidental service is available Mon - Fri, 9am-5pm.<br />
FREECALL 1800 ASTHMA (1800 278 462)<br />
16
Did you know?<br />
Every 8 minutes an Australian<br />
with asthma enters an emergency<br />
department because they can’t<br />
breathe.<br />
Your donation can help save a<br />
child’s life.<br />
By giving to Asthma Foundation WA, you help reduce asthma hospitalisations through proactive asthma<br />
management, upskilling health professionals, and researching a cure.<br />
We aim to increase how seriously asthma is taken and empower people with asthma to live healthy and<br />
safe lives. But we need your help and ask for your donation.<br />
All donations over $2 are fully tax-deductible!<br />
<br />
I want to help!<br />
Remember, all donations over $2 are fully tax-deductible.<br />
Donate online at www.asthmaaustralia.org.au/WA<br />
I would like to make a once-off<br />
tax deductible donation<br />
Amount $<br />
Please detach and return to:<br />
Asthma Foundation WA<br />
PO Box 864<br />
WEST PERTH WA 6872<br />
I would like to start making<br />
monthly tax deductible donations<br />
Amount $<br />
Name:<br />
Address:<br />
Enclosed is a cheque/money order payable to Asthma Foundation WA<br />
Please charge my credit/debit card: Mastercard Visa<br />
Ph:<br />
Email:<br />
I have asthma<br />
Card Number<br />
Exp Date<br />
|<br />
I care for someone with asthma<br />
Cardholder’s name<br />
as it appears on the card<br />
Signature<br />
I know someone with asthma<br />
Please send me information about<br />
including Asthma Foundation WA in<br />
my Will.<br />
OANL_DEC2016<br />
17<br />
Freecall 1800 ASTHMA<br />
36 Ord Street WEST PERTH WA 6005 | Ph: 08 9289 3600 | ABN 57 057 873 242<br />
www.asthmaaustralia.org.au