Asthma Fun Day Wednesday

Thu., July 29, 1999

By Kevin Blocker kevinb@spokesman.com

The Third Annual Asthma Awareness Fun Day will be held Wednesday afternoon at Franklin Park.

Holy Family Hospital, the American Lung Association of Washington, the Allergy and Asthma Network/Mothers of Ashmatics, the Spokane Shadow and radio station KAEP “The Peak” 105.7 are sponsoring the event from 4 to 7 p.m.

The park is at the intersection of Division and Queen.

The event is free to the public and is aimed at attracting children with asthma and their families, friends and caregivers.

There will be several educational booths and demonstrations available.

According to the lung association , asthma is the leading lung disease in the country today. It affects 9 million to 12 million people in the United States and 4 percent of all U.S. children. It’s the leading reason for most school absences.

In 1996 Washington state hospitalized 152 of every 100,000 children ranging in age from newborn to 14 years old. Spokane County had an even higher rate - 156 per 100,000, the ALA said.

“In general, asthma is higher across the country than ever before,” said Cindy Thompson, local director of the American Lung Association.

Indoor air pollutants from home and schools have helped push asthma rates up in recent years, she said.

“Children are spending more time indoors than ever before,” she said.

For more information call Thompson at 325-6516.

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