Reasons to Ride...

FROM THOSE WHO KNOW:

| Tracy | Lolly | VLT | RW | Robert |

Reasons to Ride: Dr. Paul Fairman

Do you remember trying to swim the length of the pool underwater? You wanted to breathe so badly but you couldn't, not until your head bobbed through the surface. Sheila felt that way every time she walked from her car to the office where she worked. She gave up shopping in large malls, she planned her household tasks carefully to avoid trips up the stairs. Simple tasks left her gasping for air. "I felt like I was under water, like I couldn't breathe even though I was moving air in and out of my chest." Richard said that for him it's been more like he can't get any air into his lungs at all. "It feels like there's no more room in my chest, like I can't get enough air. Some days are worse. When the humidity is high, when there's an ozone alert, I can barely climb into my truck." These are just two of the 30 million Americans whose lung disease makes every breath a challenge.

This summer, I am responding to the challenge by "shifting gears" and joining the American Lung Association, the country's oldest and largest voluntary health organization, in the "BIG RIDE Across America". Together with hundreds of other cyclists, I will be working to generate over $2,000,000 in donations. The event will support the Lung Association's efforts to educate children about the risks of cigarette smoking. It will challenge law makers to protect and improve air quality. It will assist research, and promote programs for Sheila, Richard and thousands of others young and old. The BIG RIDE is a personal challenge too: I'll be pedaling my bike from Seattle, Washington to Washington DC, through four time zones and twelve states, climbing over mountains, rolling across the plains, huffing and puffing through cities, and villages, seven weeks and 3200 miles from the Space Needle to the Washington Monument, "from sea to shining sea....".

I'm cycling in the "BIG RIDE" because:

  • Lung disease is a growing challenge (its the only one of the top four killers that's on the rise)
  • The Lung Association will use 90% of the funds I raise here in Virginia,
  • I've been dreaming about a cross country ride since college,
  • My son will be raising donations and pedaling the adventure with me.
You can help me meet the challenge. I want to raise $25,000. Please take a few minutes to review the RIDER Support Form and decide how much you can contribute to the Lung Association and to an adventure that will bring hope to many people. Your fully tax deductible donation to the American Lung Association will make you my partner in this journey against America's third leading cause of death.

Hoping for a tail wind all the way,
Paul Fairman, MD


LUNG DISEASE IN AMERICA

  • 335,000 deaths each year
  • America's #3 killer
  • Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for men and women
  • breathing problems are the #1 killer of children under 1 year old
  • community acquired pneumonia will strike 2-4 million
  • 30 million Americans have asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis
  • asthma prevalence is up 60%
  • teen smoking is on the rise
  • about half of all smokers will die from their habit

AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION OF VIRGINIA PROGRAMS

  • Open Airways for Children (in school education for children with asthma)
  • "A" is for Asthma (a Sesame Street program for all pre-schoolers)
  • Camp SuperKids (asthma education in a summer camping program)
  • TATU: Teens Against Tobacco Use (younger kids learn about tobacco risks)
  • Research support evaluated and supervised by the Virginia Thoracic Society
  • Consumer health education support materials and services
  • Lung Health Resource Center and internet programs
  • ALAV LungMobile (a mobile resource for communities, businesses and organizations)

AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION OF VIRGINIA

311 S. Boulevard
P.O. Box 7065
Richmond, VA 23221
804 355-3295

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