Benefits of Swimming for Children with Asthma

FOR PEOPLE WITH AN INTEREST IN ASTHMA AND ALLERGY
UPDATE
ISSUE 25 SEPTEMBER 04
Bumper sports issue
Be Active for Asthma
Sam Riley’s master strokes
Asthma symptoms,
not always what they seem
Sporting stars galore
A million good wishes
helping people to breathe better
A Message from
the Editor-in-chief
Contents
A message from the editor-in-chief ..........2
Your letters .................................................3
In the media ..............................................4
Be Active for Asthma Campaign...............6
A champion is as a champion does.........8
Chicken or egg ........................................10
Cleaning up a million good wishes ........12
High Pitch.................................................14
The spice of life........................................15
Around Australia ......................................16
Education News.......................................18
Asthma - over the horizon. AFA’s First
International Asthma Conference.........19
Contact
Asthma Update
Suite 310, 63 Stead Street
South Melbourne Victoria 3205
Tel: 03 9696 7861 Fax: 03 9696 7397
Email: jleigh@asthmaaustralia.org.au
www.asthmaaustralia.org.au
Published by Asthma Foundations of Australia
© September 2004 Asthma Foundations of Australia
Editor-in-chief
Michael Cassar, Chief Executive Officer,
Asthma Foundations of Australia
Editorial team
Editor - Jeanette Leigh, Communications Project Officer,
Asthma Foundations of Australia
Michelle Menzies, Executive Officer,
Asthma Foundations of Northern Territory
Editorial Review Panel
Megan Valentine,
Consumer Representative, Victoria
Assoc. Prof Jo Douglass, Department of Allergy,
Immunology and respiratory Medicine, The Alfred Hospital,
Melbourne, Victoria
Nigel Cooper, Education Manager,
Asthma Foundation of South Australia
Kellie Darley, Marketing and Communications Manager,
Asthma Foundations of New South Wales
Dr. Chris Hogan, General Practitioner,
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Victoria
Assoc. Prof Peter van Asperen, Head, Department
Respiratory Medicine, Children’s Hospital, Westmead, New
South Wales
Dr Ral Antic, Respiratory Physician, Director of Thoracic
Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Australia and Chair
of Medical and Scientific Committee, Asthma Foundations
of Australia
Dr Helen Reddel, Ann J Woolcock Research Fellow
and Respiratory Physician, Woolcock Institute of Medical
Research
pring is a time when people emerge from
their winter hibernation to enjoy the
renewal of the coming season and attend to
their health and wellbeing. This year National
Asthma Week has been moved to coincide
with the first week of spring (September 1 - 30)
as this is a particularly trying time for people
with asthma and allergies. The other important
aspect of this move is the launch of a new and
exciting activity called Be Active for Asthma.
Mark it in your long-term planners because this
inaugural campaign is here to stay.
S
National Asthma Week will be overtaken by Be
Active for Asthma, which is especially
significant because it is the first time that all the
Asthma Foundations have embarked on a
national community awareness and fund
raising drive. The month of September will be
devoted to fun activities to encourage not only
asthma sufferers but the wider population of
Australia to get active. The message we want
to reinforce is that people with asthma can get
fit and build strategies to prevent illness.
This issue of Asthma Update focuses on the
campaign and how best to manage asthma
effectively in order to lead a normal active
lifestyle. Being active is becoming a health
priority in Australia. In line with the Prime
Minister’s commitment of $116 million towards
fighting childhood obesity and promoting
fitness, Asthma Foundations of Australia have
also taken up the baton to advance important
messages to the community about asthma
management and to effect real behaviour
change.
The enticements to join in this national activity
campaign are substantial. Fabulous prizes
include sporting club memberships and a
signed Speedo Olympic FS2 swim suit of a
medallist from Athens 2004. The national prize
for the top fundraiser and their partner is lunch
with Sam Riley at award winning Picasso’s
Restaurant in Brisbane, two nights
accommodation at the Carlton Crest Hotel
Brisbane and a Dyson HEPA DC11 vacuum
cleaner.
Sponsorship and corporate partnerships are
terribly important when it comes to the success
of campaigns like this. We would like to thank
our great friends for their generous help in
making Be Active for Asthma a meaningful
project and a huge success. Our major
sponsors are Merck Sharp and Dohme,
AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKlein, Dyson,
M&CSAATCHI and Macquarie Bank. Our
support sponsors are Fitness First, Skipping
Girl, Australia Post and Speedo.
We are especially thankful to the time Sam
Riley has taken to provide invaluable support
for this cause. You can read her inspirational
story in this issue.
Be active and be well.
Michael Cassar
CEO Asthma Foundations of Australia
Manufacturers of asthma medications are proud to support Asthma Update,
the national magazine for people with asthma, allergy and their carers.
DISCLAIMER
The Asthma Foundations of Australia do not endorse or recommend any of the products
advertised. The Asthma Foundations of Australia wish to advise products advertised may not
necessarily improve a person’s asthma. The material in Asthma Update must not be reproduced
in any form without permission from the editor. The opinions expressed are not necessarily the
views or policies of the Asthma Foundations of Australia. Whilst all reasonable efforts have been
made to ensure the accuracy of the content, no responsibility can be taken for error or omission.
2
Asthma Foundations of Australia is the leading consumer authority on asthma education,information, research, support and advocacy.
Dear Editor
I want to share my excitement with you regarding the
fact that I am finally symptom free of asthma after a trial
of Singulair. I am a 36 year old married mum with three
children and I have chronic asthma. Control over the
last few years has not been good on Seretide 500/50,
two puffs twice a day. I tried Intal Forte but this was
unsuccessful. My main problem was a chronic
cough/wheeze, which was producing thick sticky
mucus. This was hugely variable from day to day.
Unfortunately this cough predisposed me to bacterial
chest infections, which were becoming a regular
occurrence. In turn the chest infections aggravated the
asthma.
After trialling Losec for acid reflux, Bisolvon to try to
break down the mucus and a six week course of
antibiotics, the cough stubbornly remained. A
bronchoscopy was done, only to find inflamed airways
producing mucus plugs. Only oral Prednisone seemed
to work, but it was only used intermittently. I had almost
resigned myself to coping with this cough for the rest
of my life. It was suggested that I trial Singulair on top
of Seretide. I didn’t expect it to work but I have not
looked back since. By day six, I was virtually cough
free and I am now starting to reduce the Seretide. My
peakflow reading is now at the predicted level.
Singulair is expensive but it has changed my life. My
lungs finally feel free and I savour each clear, cough
free breath.
controlling drug therapy in order to return lung
function to its best capacity. I presume that the first
step has been addressed.
It is not clear why only some people respond well to
Singulair. This is true for all drugs. Singulair does not
work better in people with allergies. I cannot say
whether the drug will in due course be given a listing
as a PBS drug for adults. It is available for children
with frequent episodic or mild persistent asthma as
monotherapy, not as an add-on treatment.
The good thing about Singulair is that if it is going to
work it will be obvious within 2-4 weeks of starting.
Some people will undertake this trial but will be
prepared to stop its use at the end of that period of
time if no benefit is found. If helpful the dose of
Singulair can be also adjusted.
A word of caution about the high doses of Seretide
that you have used in the past as you have taken
doses that are twice the upper limit, prescribed only
in very special circumstances. It is important to scale
down the doses as early as possible after a trial of
higher dose therapy.
Finally when there is a lack of response to what
seemed to have been correct treatment of asthma, as
in your case, it is important to have the doctor check
that there is no other medical condition present.
My questions are; why does Singulair work for
some and not others? Does allergic
asthma respond better to Singulair
and will Singulair for adults
eventually go on PBS?
Warm regards, Samantha
Dear Samantha
The treatment of persistent asthma is a
two part process. One is to determine
inhaled or consumed triggers and avoid
them. The second is to deal with remaining
problems with the least amount of symptom
For further information contact your local Asthma Foundation 1800 645 130 www.asthmaaustralia.org.au
3
Olympic drug nightmare
omething as simple as an asthma spray or a skin cream
could trigger a doping drama in Athens, said Professor
Peter Stricker. The latest list of banned substance released by
the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) in January contained
“significant” changes, he said.
S
Caffeine, for example, is no longer on the list. But 140 of
Australia’s 480 Olympians are seeking exemptions from the
IOC to use sprays and creams for conditions ranging from
asthma to hay fever, sinusitis and eczema.
4
Wed Jun 23 2004
“Suddenly it has all changed,” Professor Stricker said, “and it’s
hard to get the athletes to understand all the changes. You’ve
still got to trust that they will all get it right, and you’re always
worried that one might slip through the net or fall through the
cracks. It only takes one asthmatic out there not thinking who will
inadvertently, dare I say, take a couple of puffs, and the whole
drama starts again. It has been nothing short of a nightmare.”
Asthma Foundations of Australia is the leading consumer authority on asthma education,information, research, support and advocacy.
In the media
Professor Stricker said Athens was the first Olympics where athletes had to seek
permission to use bronchodilators such as Ventolin. He said he was concerned that
laboratory tests conducted in Australia might not show an athlete qualified for an
exemption by the IOC’s definition.
But exercising in the polluted air of Athens could produce a “different trigger” for an
asthmatic athlete. Preventative drugs could be used, he said, “but it’s still nice to
have Ventolin there if the athlete needs it.”
© AAP 2004
For further information contact your local Asthma Foundation 1800 645 130 www.asthmaaustralia.org.au
5
BE ACTIVE FOR ASTHMA
If you fancy lunch with
world champion swimmer
Sam Riley then it is time
you joined Australians
across the country and
signed up for the Be
Active for Asthma activity.
icki, a person with asthma from Victoria, is about
to embark on a month of solid seaweed salvaging
and Tom from Tasmania will be traipsing his way
through the Trowunna Wildlife Park in search of a
thylacine. Olympic swimmer Sam Riley OAM will not be on
such heady trails but as the campaign’s patron she hopes
to inspire even the frailest of people with asthma to take up
the challenge and do some kind of activity.
V
The gig is as follows; you can engage in any kind of activity,
from weeding the garden to running, swimming, walking the
ferret or spring cleaning the house and you simply find
people to sponsor you to perform this exercise for 15 hours
at your convenience. However those who are unable to
achieve 15 hours can participate to the level of their ability.
One of the exciting aspects of this campaign is having the
inspirational Sam Riley on board.
“Asthma Foundations in all states want people to
understand that asthma should not be an impediment to
success in any area of pursuit. Sam Riley is a shining
example of that,' says Asthma Foundations of Australia
National Marketing & Development Manager, Jeanette
McKinnon.
This campaign was built on the success of similar
campaigns conducted in Victoria and South Australia last
year called 24 Hour Workout for Asthma where participants
spent 24 non-consecutive hours doing some kind of activity.
This was refined into Be Active for Asthma. The funds raised
6
Sam qualifies 3rd fastest in the Women's 200m
breaststroke at the 96 Atlanta Olympics
provided first aid training for sport coaches, trainers and
recreational leaders. Health, fitness and sporting clubs were
enthusiastic in taking up the baton to engage their members
to participate.
“The pilot was so successful that we decided to expand it
nationally as a way to involve communities. Participants will
be drawn from sporting organizations, youth clubs and
schools. The other aim is to encourage people who might
not understand asthma to become involved,' says Jeanette.
We want each state to recruit around 4000 people who
would receive a minimum donation of $2 per hour. Because
24 hours of exercise seemed daunting, the requirement has
been lowered to coincide with government recommendations
of 30 minutes exercise per day with a 15 hour minimum.
All the frivolity will be tempered with some serious health
messages. Obesity is now a public health issue. There are a
staggering number of overweight children in Australia; 1 in 5
are overweight and 1 in 10 are obese. Australia is the
second most overweight developed country after the USA.
Obesity is also an issue for people with asthma who too
often believe they are unable to manage the condition well
enough to pursue exercise. The cycle is perpetuated
because overweight people are less physically active.
Jeanette McKinnon stresses that this is also an opportunity
for all Australians to get on board and establish a good
fitness regime.
Asthma Foundations of Australia is the leading consumer authority on asthma education,information, research, support and advocacy.
CAMPAIGN
WHAT YOU CAN WIN
To participate visit
www.asthmaaustralia.org.au or call
TOP FUNDRAISER – NATIONAL
The Top National Fundraiser prize will consists of:
1x powerful Dyson DC11 HEPA vacuum cleaner, accommodation for 2 nights (for two)
at the Carlton Crest Hotel in Brisbane. While staying there the winner and a friend will
enjoy lunch with Sam Riley at the award winning Picasso’s Restaurant. Prize includes
economy flight for two if coming from interstate. The date and time is subject to Sam
Riley’s availability. Holiday subject to availability and valid until 31 March 2005.
1800 645 130
MOST HOURS – NATIONAL
Participant achieving the most hours will win a powerful Dyson DC11 HEPA vacuum
cleaner.
TOP FUNDRAISER – FITNESS CENTRE/SPORTING CLUB (NATIONAL)
Speedo Olympic FS2 swim suit signed by an Australian medallist, Athens 2004.
TOP FUNDRAISER – CORPORATE (NATIONAL)
Appreciation plaque signed by Sam Riley.
TOP FUNDRAISER PER STATE
$100 Coles Myer gift voucher
There will also be State participation prizes donated by Fitness First and Skipping Girl.
“We rely so much on computers and TV for entertainment when
we could get out and be active. Maybe instead of driving to the
local shops people will ride a bike, walk or run. Smokers can use
this as an occasion to quit and get fit.'
Apart from scuba diving, people with asthma should be able to
participate in any sport as often as they like. This can be
achieved by having an Asthma Action Plan and working with a
doctor or fitness expert to ensure that fitness goals are built up to
in a safe and appropriate way.
Aside from madcap publicity stunts by our states keen sporting
hero ambassadors, there is a very real issue that must not be
lost in all the revelry, which is that asthma management can
provide people with the ability to enjoy a better quality of life
through fitness activities.
By Jeanette Leigh
For further information contact your local Asthma Foundation 1800 645 130 www.asthmaaustralia.org.au
7
A champion is as
a champion does
A master stroke from swimming icon Sam Riley is to be the delightful face of asthma for
the 2004 Be Active for Asthma campaign.
am Riley is renowned as one of Australia’s
greatest ever female swimmers. When we think of
Sam we consider her illustrious history as a sportswoman
with accolades including the Medal of the Order of Australia,
the Prime Ministerial Award of Female Athlete of the Year
and as a record breaking swimmer. Now she is keeping
abreast of asthma by being the Asthma Foundations of
Australia Be Active patron. Her role is to help raise
community awareness of a chronic condition that she has
suffered from since early childhood.
S
“At four I had my first asthma attack and at seven my doctor
suggested I learn to swim to help my general fitness and lung
capacity. It was fantastic advice. I was still hospitalised
regularly in those early years although my parents said the
8
swimming helped. It wasn’t until I increased my training at
age15 from four to eight hours a week that I noticed a dramatic
improvement. Even now if I experience some tightness I jump
into the pool.'
As well as being one of Australia’s most popular sporting
personalities her trophy room must be a metallurgist’s dream
as her achievements include three Olympic medals; two World
Championship Gold medals, five Commonwealth Games
medals (four gold) and nine Pan Pacific Games medals. Sam
has also set three world and two Commonwealth records. She
achieved all this while managing a chronic health condition,
which in her early years had her in emergency wards about
twice a year.
Asthma Foundations of Australia is the leading consumer authority on asthma education,information, research, support and advocacy.
Sam is almost blasé in her discussion of her condition. It was
just something she always had. She never knew any different.
“I don’t remember what it was like not to have asthma and I
never considered it to be a hindrance. The worst part was the
embarrassment at school. If I needed to take my Ventolin I
would hide behind a tree so no one would see me. Now it is
more accepted.'
It wasn’t long before Sam’s potential as a breaststroker
became evident. At 15 her coach
was Laurie Lawrence. He knew she
was a natural with the leg flexibility
that characterized a good
breaststroke swimmer.
bit tired I would do an easy swim. That was where my coach did
a fantastic job in being flexible. He would never say, you can’t
do the session, he would modify the session to suit me.'
Sam retired from swimming four years ago and has a young
son to take care of. There are no more hospital visits due to
asthma because she has it under control. Her major triggers
are the dust mite, sudden changes in weather and bouts of
colds or flu.
“ Because I have had asthma
for so long, I know my triggers
and how to avoid them.”
“Laurie took me to the 1988
Olympic trials hoping the experience would inspire me to do
more training. It worked. I got to see Duncan Armstrong and a
few of my swimming heroes who trained with Laurie and made
the team. Duncan won gold that year.'
For anyone to become a champion it takes dedication and an
ironclad work ethic. For someone with asthma it takes the
same dedication with some modifications thrown in.
“The excitement of training for the Olympics was enough
motivation for me to get up at 4.45 every morning. It was such
a great experience. We trained outdoors throughout the year in
Brisbane. August is renowned up here for westerly winds,
which is one of my asthma triggers. That was hard. People say
it doesn’t get cold in Brisbane but some days it was zero
degrees at 5am so there were times when I was unwell when
we had to make adjustments to the work I did in the pool. It was
always trial and error regarding what would help me. If I was a
“Because I have had asthma for so
long, I know my triggers and how to
avoid them. I get on top of it before
it gets to that stage.’
Being asked to front the Be Active
for Asthma campaign was an
opportunity for Samantha Riley to share some of her
experiences and encourage people to manage their asthma
better.
“I wanted people, especially children, to know that asthma
doesn’t have to stop you exercising, that you can do what you
want by taking good care of yourself. People who have had
asthma for a long time think they can manage for themselves
without seeing a doctor. It is important for me to see a doctor
regularly. My dad also has asthma. I encouraged him to see a
doctor and get some preventative medication telling him it
would change his life. At first he resisted. When he finally took
that step he couldn’t believe the difference it made. Seeing
your doctor regularly and having an asthma management plan
means that you can lead the life that you want.'
By Jeanette Leigh
For further information contact your local Asthma Foundation 1800 645 130 www.asthmaaustralia.org.au
9
CHICKEN
OR EGG?
According to Associate Professor Colin Robertson, Respiratory Physician at the Royal
Children’s Hospital, 80 percent of children diagnosed with asthma have symptoms
induced by exercise; therefore the community at large perceives asthma in a certain
way. This can be positive in the sense that the problem can be easily recognised,
however sometimes other respiratory conditions can mimic asthma. Parents, coaches
and doctors alike need to be aware of that.
10
talented twelve year old soccer player is
promoted from the under 12’s to the under 14’s
and elected as captain of his team. The match begins
and twenty minutes into the game he collapses. He has
trouble breathing, he is choking in fact, but he does not
have asthma, he has a laryngeal dysfunction.
A
obstruction that causes difficulty breathing in so they choke.
This gets interpreted as Exercise Induced Asthma (EIA) but it
doesn’t respond to anti-asthma therapy. What they need is
breathing exercises to learn how to control it. It is a simple
effective intervention and it is important for people to know
that it exists.'
“This is a world recognised phenomenon that is not well
recognised in the community. It occurs particularly in elite
child athletes where the child goes into training without a
problem and when match day comes they get a throat
A number of issues are involved with sport and respiratory
dysfunctions. Exercise is a common trigger for Asthma but
there are other similar symptoms that may be attributable to
other conditions.
Asthma Foundations of Australia is the leading consumer authority on asthma education,information, research, support and advocacy.
“Doctors, relatives and enthusiastic physical education teachers
can mistake a child who exercises and gets out of breath as
having asthma when they are actually just unfit. Sometimes
general practitioners don’t take long detailed histories so when a
mother comes in and says Billy can’t keep up at sport, they
assume that it is EIA. Because we are so aware of asthma there
is a tendency to get kids started on treatment when it may not
be appropriate,' says Assoc. Prof Robertson.
In this scenario reliever medication won’t work. Doctors need to
be diligent. Part of the diagnostic process is to determine
whether the child coughs and wheezes, whether there is a
strong family history of asthma or allergy and if there are other
triggers; also whether the medication is actually effective.
Doctors may also do a lung function test and exercise
challenge.
If asthma symptoms are experienced during or after exercise,
play or sport then it may be EIA. Symptoms include coughing,
wheezing, feeling tight in the chest and shortness of breath. It is
brought on during activity because the respiratory system can’t
cope with the change in air conditions. Our breathing system is
a bit like an air conditioner. When we are at rest we breathe
through our nose. As the air moves through the nose it is
warmed and moistened. During exercise we breathe faster
through our mouth, inhaling more air. The air is colder and
drier, which makes the muscle around the airways tighten. The
airways narrow, making breathing more difficult.
incidence of attacks but it will make people fitter and more able
to cope,' says Assoc. Professor Peter van Asperen, Head of
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Children’s Hospital,
Westmead.
Children with troublesome asthma are generally likely to be less
fit than those who don’t have asthma. There is no difference in
fitness between children with mild asthma and those without
asthma because they can participate in normal activities.
“If a child has EIA then they are limited in the training they can
do and so don’t achieve normal levels of fitness,' says Assoc.
Prof. Robertson. “However a number of studies show that if you
identify that group of children, treat their asthma and train them,
they can achieve normal fitness. This is evidenced by the large
body of elite athletes who go ahead and achieve despite
chronic asthma.'
By Jeanette Leigh
Anyone exercising in Singapore’s climate would be less
likely to have EIA because the air is humid and the water
content high. Asthma sufferers who are Nordic skiers
are at a definite disadvantage. Almost all competitive
skiers get some airway inflammation. Regardless, there
are a number of steps to take to protect against an
attack including warming up before embarking on activity,
cooling down after, using reliever medication 5 to 10 minutes
before warming up. For some people preventer medications or
symptom controller medications may also be used to prevent
EIA. Always consult your doctor for medical advice.
It is important that nothing is taken for granted by anyone
involved with a child experiencing respiratory distress. If
symptoms are experienced on the field, they must cease the
activity. Sit the child down and advise them to relax and control
their breathing as breathing difficulties can cause panic, which
can in turn cause hyperventilation. Reassurance is important
although it may be necessary to administer Ventolin regardless
if there is no clearly established reason. The attack should be
investigated for future management.
In addition to our knowledge that there is no known cure for
asthma is the knowledge that being fit does not impact on its
incidence.
“There is no direct evidence that exercise will improve the
For further information contact your local Asthma Foundation 1800 645 130 www.asthmaaustralia.org.au
11
Pioneering inventor and founder of
Dyson Appliances, James Dyson,
has six honorary doctorates. He is a firm
believer in using commercial skills to
benefit community organisations.
CLEANING UP A
MILLION GOOD WISHES
Four years ago he instructed his Managing
Directors worldwide to go forth and find worthy
causes to champion, the proviso being that they
had like views on research and community
development. The ‘Raise $1million To Help Beat
Asthma’ campaign fitted the bill perfectly.
12
Asthma Foundations of Australia is the leading consumer authority on asthma education,information, research, support and advocacy.
ustralian companies can play a vital role in
building awareness for community programs.
This has been evidenced by the successful collaboration
between Dyson Appliances and Asthma Foundations of
Australia to raise a target $1million to help beat asthma in
Australia.
A
The million dollars has contributed to education programs
and initiatives by providing printed educational material that
highlights the enormous impact of asthma, which afflicts
over two million Australians. Working at a state level Dyson
provided funds for projects that would in turn assist them to
raise more money. Funding is crucial to the process of
raising awareness and reducing the incidence of asthma
attacks and death among Australians. Working with Dyson,
James Dyson challenged his MD’s to find an organisation in
their region that shared his belief in the importance of
research, in order to work towards creating significant
lifestyle change within the community. The journey began in
England with commitments to breast cancer campaigns and
meningitis research. They even sponsored a fund raising
walk across Antarctica.
The Triple Bottom Line approach to business, which focuses
not only on financial performance, but economic, social and
environmental performance, is reflected in Dyson’s
involvement in life enhancing activities. Not for profit
organizations like Asthma Foundations of Australia rely not
only on government funding, corporate involvement is
important to enable us to achieve even higher goals.
(Left to right) Peter Adamson, President of Asthma Foundations of Australia, Sam Riley and Ross Cameron,
MD Dyson Appliances at the million dollar launch at North Sydney Olympic Pool for a feature on Channel 7’s Sunrise.
who have utilized point-of-sale to educate the public
regarding asthma management, meant that a wider
audience was accessed. Furthering this opportunity, Harvey
Norman also came on board and donated $5 for each
vacuum cleaner they sold throughout April and May 2004.
Asthma Foundations message is clear, that a balance of
exercise, medication and self management is the key to
managing asthma, but it needs to be broadcast far and
wide.
“The problem is that too few Australians understand the
importance of an Asthma Action Plan; knowing the signs of
an asthma attack and the triggers that lead to an attack are
crucial,” says Peter Adamson, President of Asthma
Foundations of Australia.
At the same time Dyson have been working closely with
former Olympic swimming champion Sam Riley in their
support of Be Active for Asthma.
“Many families might be surprised to know that 1 in 6
Australian children have a current diagnosis of asthma and
397 Australians died from asthma in 2002. Illness and death
associated with asthma can be reduced with proper
diagnosis, medical management and education," says Sam.
Ross Cameron, MD for Dyson Appliances Australia & New
Zealand looks forward to an ongoing and fruitful relationship
with Australian Asthma Foundations.
“Dyson Appliances are a committed supporter of asthma
education in Australia. We will continue to partner the
Asthma Foundations in innovative ways to raise funds and
communicate asthma messages,” he says.
By Jeanette Leigh
For further information contact your local Asthma Foundation 1800 645 130 www.asthmaaustralia.org.au
13
HIGH PITCH
ustralian softball captain and Asthma Foundation
of Victoria Sporting Achiever Peta Edebone is
about to fulfill her goal of becoming a three-time
Olympian. She has captained the Victorian state team for
11 years and is currently captaining the team for the Athens
Olympics. Despite the fact that she has had asthma since
infancy, her achievements in softball bear the mark of a
champion.
A
Now Peta is one of the ambassadors for the Asthma
Foundation of Victoria’s Be Active for Asthma campaign.
She says her experiences with the Asthma Foundation and
the Variety Club of Australia have given her valuable
perspective and inspire her whenever injuries or setbacks
occur.
Peta has competed around the globe and secured many
awards and accolades for her efforts. At the Blacktown
International Softball Challenge in April, Edebone joined
Natalie Ward in becoming the
second and third players in
the history of Softball
Australia to play 300
games for Australia, a
feat only previously
achieved by retired
dual Olympian Sally
McCreedy.
By Leanne Ortiz
Peta’s well organised trophy cabinet is proudly filled with
memorabilia from her softball career including the two
Olympic bronze medals she earned in Atlanta (1996) and
Sydney (2000).
Simon Roskvist, head coach of the Australian women’s
softball team for the Athens Olympics, recalls the 2-run
home run which Edebone smashed at the Sydney Olympics
in the bottom of the 13th innings, to steal the game from the
formidable USA outfit.
“I experienced first hand one of those sporting feats that
becomes legendary.”
Peta is honoured to have been selected as captain and
believes the team for Athens will field a good balance of
youth and experience.
“If we play our absolute best throughout the rounds, then we
can be playing off in the gold medal game,” she says.
Regardless of the enormous achievements, her softball
journey has been a difficult one. Injuries have plagued
Peta’s career almost forcing her out of the Atlanta team
where she competed with a broken right foot. She even
came perilously close to ending her three-time Olympic
dream for Athens after sustaining a grade two tear of the
medial ligament in her left knee.
Rehabilitation has involved a 10 week process of
strengthening exercises, massage, gym work, pilates, pool
rehab, medical checks, cardio workouts and basic skills
sessions.
“This is all on top of a full 10 hour day’s work. Then I get to
go home,” says Peta.
When it comes to injury and pressures to reproduce her
previous form, Peta is philosophical.
“For many years there has been a lot of expectation for me
to perform. Thankfully, I too share that level of expectation. I
do not like to let down the team or myself in those
situations.”
“Peta is one of the toughest athletes I have met,” coach
Roskvist says, “both on a physical and mental level she is a
no-nonsense, win-oriented leader and our intentions are to
medal. The shinier the better.'
Peta batting for Australia
at the 2000 Sydney Olympics
14
Asthma Foundations of Australia is the leading consumer authority on asthma education,information, research, support and advocacy.
ortunately, world aerobic champion Sue Stanley
doesn’t know what it’s like to have asthma, but she
does know a lot about fitness. Her attention these days is
turned towards encouraging Australians of all ages to take
care of themselves and enjoy life to the fullest. She is a firm
believer in the ‘sport for all’ principle; this of course includes
people who have asthma.
F
“It doesn’t matter what kind of physical exercise you do to
increase your lung and aerobic capacity as long as you
enjoy it,' says Sue. “In my experience finding what the client
likes is the big thing. They may be told that they have to do
gym work and then find they don’t like it. The whole
experience should not be a chore. Walking, running or bike
riding is just as good as activities like netball where your
mind is not just on exercise but strategies, the other team
members and having fun.'
THE SPICE
OF LIFE
Sue Stanley has a ball with exercise
Some food for thought from fitness and wellbeing aficionado, Sue Stanley
Diet is a vital component of fitness. By becoming more in
touch with our bodies and hyper-aware of how we respond
to certain foods we can avoid foods that may trigger asthma
or other allergies and sensitivities.
The following recipe is straight from Sue’s nutritious
cookbook and provides a great breakfast alternative.
Other recipes can be found on www.systemstanley.com
“Write down everything that you eat and monitor how those
foods react with you. Everyone should do it, not just those
with asthma. This way you get to know the foods that relate
well to your body,” says Sue. “As a professional sports
person if I knew then what I know today about how my body
responds to food it would have been easier for me as a
competitor. In aerobics we were judged on strength,
flexibility and appearance so food played a big part in not
only expending energy but looking good.'
STRAWBERRY DELIGHT
According to Sue Stanley, a variety of food is the spice of life
and will in turn spice up your life.
“We tend to fall into the same patterns and eat the same
thing day in and day out so we only get a certain set of
nutrients and miss out on others. It is a good idea to have a
little bit of everything.'
Consuming a different breakfast every morning is a good
start. If you have cereal every day your body is going to
become bored and the energy output to digest it decreases.
Alternating cereal with fruit, eggs and toast will spark up an
uninspired metabolism.
Ingredients
100grams Strawberries
300grams Apples
100grams Banana
Method
Wash the strawberries and
apples, remove the cores from
the apples and cut into
pieces to fit through the
juicer. Push the
strawberries and apple
through the juicer using the
safety plunger. Peel and chop the
banana. Blend the banana and juice
to a creamy consistency. Pour into
a glass and
enjoy.
By Jeanette Leigh
For further information contact your local Asthma Foundation 1800 645 130 www.asthmaaustralia.org.au
15
Stirring the soup
oupa day, held around the country at the end of July, has been
S
consuming the interests of several state Asthma Foundation branches.
This is where individuals and organizations became Soupa Heroes
selling mugs of soup to raise money for asthma research. In
Tassie the event was launched at Freedom Furniture. Schools,
businesses and community groups joined in by holding their
own Soupa Days.
In Victoria there were Soupa Heroes galore. Channel Ten
Sports presenter and former Carlton football player
Stephen Silvagni and Renee Henderson from the
Footy Show’s ‘House of Bulger’ promoted
the day dressed as Soupa Heroes as
seen in Melbourne’s MX News.
Gabriel Gate featured soup for
Soupa Day as part of his cooking
segment on Good Morning
Australia. HMAS Cerberus in
South Eastern Victoria served soup
to the entire base, which was
publicised in the Herald Sun with a
fabulous colour photo of a sailor sipping
soup in a Lifebuoy.
Sports presenter Stephen Silvagni joins Wonder
Woman (Footy Show’s Renee Henderson) in a
quest for truth, justice and freedom from asthma.
And in South Australia, radio personality Anne
Wills launched Soupa Day on Friday 2nd July
with local sports stars from Adelaide United, Port
Power and the ETSA Contax netball team. The
local sports stars transformed into Soupa
Heroes as they took part in games like making
the tallest towers of soup tins, acting out soup
names in Soupa Charades and tasting
unusual soups while blindfolded. The event
was sponsored by ETSA Utilities and great
prizes were provided by David Brooks, The
Good Guys, IGA, ETSA Utilities and Heinz.
Ann Wills celebrates Soupa Day with Port Power team in South Australia.
16
Asthma Foundations of Australia is the leading consumer authority on asthma education,information, research, support and advocacy.
sthma Foundation of Northern Territory promotes
self management of asthma by co-ordinating the
Woodside Asthma Swim Program (W.A.S.P.), which is
fully sponsored by Woodside Petroleum and conducted
at the Goldfishbowl Swim Centre in Palmerston.
A
Classes comprising swimming tuition or squad training
began two years ago with 20 children and expanded to 45.
The program aims to improve health through exercise and
increase understanding of asthma by providing asthma
education within a supportive and friendly environment.
WOODSIDE ASTHMA
SWIM PROGRAM NT
Exercise, particularly swimming, helps develop respiratory fitness and
has wonderful benefits for children with respiratory illnesses like
asthma. A recent W.A.S.P. survey showed a marked
improvement in participants understanding of asthma
symptoms, triggers and overall management.
Parents and swimming instructors have recognised
how important the program has been to the
physical and social development of their children.
Young Siobhan Tonks enjoys her time
with her swimming instructor in the
Woodside Asthma Swim Program (above).
Jessica Jones proudly receives her award.
Several children are involved in competitive
swimming. Jessica Jones, who joined our program
this year, competed in the NT Championships
in March and became champion of the
10years and under girls’ category. She
was awarded four Gold and three Silver
medals. We are all very proud of her.
Rachael Woodham
Asthma Educator AFNT
For further information contact your local Asthma Foundation 1800 645 130 www.asthmaaustralia.org.au
17
Western Australia
T
Victoria
he Asthma Friendly Schools (AFS) Program
T
is continuing its strong growth and
he Victorian AFS program is moving ahead in
leaps and bounds. Chandler Primary School was
development across the country. As of April this
the first school in Victoria to implement the Asthma
year 6,237 schools are now registered in the program
Friendly Schools Program in 2001. Students Renee and
and working towards becoming ‘Asthma Friendly’.
Monique Malmanche proudly display their new Asthma
This represents 61 percent of all Australian schools.
Friendly School signage (below). Since then, 20
Supporting schools through the process of becoming
‘Asthma Friendly’ is our biggest interest and challenge.
A variety of strategies have been devised to this end.
percent of Victorian schools have completed the
program and 80 percent of all schools in the state have
registered to take part.
All states are working hard to develop their websites to
Robin Ould, CEO, Asthma Foundation of Victoria says,
promote the AFS program and its resources and have
‘Any school that takes the initiative to register for this
formed strong relationships with key educational and
program must be congratulated. This program is a
health organisations to ensure Asthma Management
‘safeguard’ against possible tragedy. There is no
Guidelines are in policy documentation.
reason why every school in the state should not be
Several wonderful resources complementing the
program have been developed including a ‘Mission
registered, especially when the program is simple,
easy to implement and incurs no charges.’
Asthma’ CDROM, information booklet for teenagers
Susan Preece
and the Short Wind video for
Asthma Friendly Schools Project Officer, AFVIC
indigenous groups. Priorities
for the next phase of the
program are to continue
building the program provider
networks in each state, and
from an Australia-wide
perspective, the
implementation of a National
Evaluation program.
Jodie Whinnen
Asthma Friendly Schools
Project Coordinator, AFWA
Renee and Monique Malmanche from Chandler Primary
School display the new Asthma Friendly School signage.
18
Asthma Foundations of Australia is the leading consumer authority on asthma education,information, research, support and advocacy.
ANNOUNCING AUSTRALIAN ASTHMA CONFERENCE
Asthma – Over the horizon
7th – 9th September 2005
sthma Foundations of Australia, renowned for
being innovative and proactive in the best
management practice of asthma is traversing new
territory by holding their key event, the 2005 Australian
Asthma Conference on the island of Sabah in Malaysia.
Asthma – Over the horizon, the theme of the new venture,
aims to bring together experts from across the globe to
explore and pool information regarding different cultural and
scientific approaches to asthma
and
to
showcase
the
tremendous volume of research
and resources that our
organization has to offer.
A
Researchers predict that rates of
asthma will double over the next
10 years in Asia alone. The
theme, Asthma – Over the
horizon, reflects the fact that
asthma knows no geographical,
cultural or religious boundaries.
The conference committee
consists of an experienced team drawn from the seven
Australian Asthma Foundations who are currently developing
a broad international program. There will be an eclectic mix of
keynote speakers with plenary sessions, specific issue
symposia and practical skills workshops.
This conference is a must for anyone affected by or interested
in the issues concerning asthma. Your host for this
conference is Asthma Foundation Northern Territory (AFNT)
who were the proud winners of the Prime Minister’s award for
excellence in Community Business Partnerships in 2003 for
the NT. They are thrilled to have the opportunity of bringing
this important event to Australians as well as our neighbours
to the north.
‘We will continue to strive to work closely with our partners and
sponsors to maintain this standard and tradition,’ says
Michelle Menzies, Executive Officer of AFNT.
A range of interactive workshop sessions will be presented by
leading Australian and International researchers and
practitioners. Throughout the conference program and
associated events, delegates will have the opportunity to
network with peers, leading respiratory researchers and
practitioners. The 2005 conference will also provide the
opportunity for delegates to access product information from
manufacturers, suppliers and companies from a variety of
areas in the health field.
ABOUT SABAH
the “Land below
the Wind”
Apart from the obvious benefits of attending this symposium,
the added attraction is the location. Sabah is an island that
sits at the tip of Borneo. It is the
world’s third largest island. The
climate is tropical and it is
summer all year round. Daily
temperatures range from 23 to
33 degrees, with cooler
weather up in the mountains.
Its population comprises
several ethnic groups speaking
more than 80 local dialects.
They are a diverse yet
harmonious mix of interwoven
cultures and traditions. Kota Kinabalu (referred to by locals
as KK) is the capital of Sabah. There are mountain ranges
(Mount Kinabalu), fertile plains covered in lush forests and
exotic plants and wildlife dwell deep in the forests and
surrounding waters (Uncle Tan’s Jungle Sanctuary is a must
see). There is also a wide range of activities available from
extreme adventure sports to more leisurely pursuits.
KK is a mixture of bright lights, excellent cuisines and a major
highlight are its unspoiled islands just 10 minutes by
speedboat from the city centre. Sabah, the land below the
wind, is a fabulous tourist destination that will attract
delegates from across the globe.
INVITATION
We invite delegates to register now for this ground
breaking conference.
For more information please contact Desliens
Phone 08 8941 0388
Fax
08 8981 8382
Email dcem@desliens.com.au
For further information contact your local Asthma Foundation 1800 645 130 www.asthmaaustralia.org.au
19
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