Asthma & Respiratory Foundation

Who are we?

The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation is a charitable organisation that provides information and acts as an advocate for people with respiratory illnesses. The Foundation has been helping Kiwis breathe easier for over 40 years. We have 25 affiliated asthma societies and branches throughout the country that can support you with one-on-one education. For more information on asthma and respiratory disease or to find your closest affiliated asthma society, visit www.asthmafoundation.org.nz or call 04-499-4592

We can help you:

by providing information to you about asthma and COPD
by acting as an advocate for people with lung diseases
by producing resources for nurses
by running training courses for nurses and community health workers
by continuing to fund research
by raising the profile and awareness of respiratory conditions through our events and initiatives
You can help us
by getting involved to help raise awareness of asthma in children
by telling us about how asthma or COPD affects you or your family
by offering to help us with small tasks in the build up to our events
by making a donation
Balloon Day

The Foundation’s largest ever campaign ‘Balloon Day’ is happening on Saturday 5 May 2007 at the Mitre 10 MEGA store in your town. Balloon Day raises money for child asthma research and increases asthma awareness in New Zealand. One in four Kiwi kids now has asthma, so Balloon Day is an important extravaganza of colour, balloons, music, celebrities, and excitement for children of all ages. Balloon Day is supported by Contact Energy in association with Mitre 10.

How can you help?

We are looking for help for Balloon Day in your area. Please visit www.asthmafoundation.org.nz to find out how you can make a difference. If you can’t make the event, but wish to support the Balloon Day campaign, please text BREATHE to 3979 to donate $3 or call 0900-4-ASTHMA to donate $20.

Puff the Asthma Hot Air Balloon

Puff is the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation’s new hot air balloon. To find out more about Puff and Denis the Balloonman and their journey to New Zealand for Balloon Day, please visit www.asthmafoundation.org.nz

All Puffed Up with No Place to Go - 5th May 2007

People with asthma encounter all kinds of breathing obstacles. And so do their hot air balloons. The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation is concerned that its new aircraft “Puff” could run out of steam before his maiden voyage at the “Lift off Levin” balloon fiesta at Easter. Puff is sponsored by Contact Energy and Mitre 10.

Puff has encountered a number of difficulties since his inception, and things aren’t getting any easier for the seven story tall balloon. Puff was made to order for the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation’s Balloon Day on Saturday 5 May, by the world famous Kavanagh balloons in Australia.

However, still only half-sewn, Puff caught wind of the Levin balloon fiesta, and sent word to pilot ‘Denis the Balloonman’ Hall that he wanted to attend – no matter what it took to get there.

The nice people at Kavanagh Balloons gasped for breath. Their Australian countrymen cried “No, it can’t be done.” But the legendary Phil Kavanagh, owner of Kavanagh Balloons, is no stranger to ballooning challenges. (In 1985 Mr Kavanagh co-piloted a balloon flight across the Himalayan mountains and in 1993 was awarded a World Record for his flight to 7,199 metres.)

Not too proud to sit at a sewing machine on the factory floor with his fellow workers, Mr Kavanagh took up the challenge and personally helped construct the beautiful golden yellow balloon Puff in record time. Mr Kavanagh sent ‘Denis the Balloonman’ daily updates on Puff’s progress because he knows Puff is an important fundraising and educational tool for the Foundation.

By last Friday, Puff was laden on the balloon truck, somewhere in a launch field in Mount Kuring-gai, 27kms north of Sydney, ready to begin his journey to New Zealand.

As you can imagine, getting through Customs is no easy feat for a balloon in a hurry, despite Puff’s extraordinary beauty. Now, although safely in New Zealand, Puff’s appearance at the fiesta is dubious. Puff still requires a certificate of Air-worthiness and sign off from the Civil Aviation Administration.

Plus, don’t tell the kids, but at this point Puff is still naked, and Denis the Balloonman is busy painting his banners at a secret location somewhere in Horowhenua.

Upcoming hurdles for Puff include the completion and drying of his banners, a trip to Hastings and back for administrative sign-off, and survival of a Friday test flight. And while Puff has friends in some pretty high places, he can’t do much about the weather!

“We don’t have time for anything to go wrong” Denis the Balloonman says. “Every second counts when you’re gasping for air.”

What do you think? Has puff got enough puff?
ENDS





Statistics
• One in four New Zealand children has asthma.
• Asthma is the most common cause of child hospital admissions.
• 550,000 school days every year are lost due to asthma related absences.
• Child hospital admission rates due to asthma in Maori and Pacific people are increasing.
• It is estimated that respiratory conditions cost New Zealand over $1 billion per year in direct and indirect costs.

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