It's World Asthma Day!
It’s World Asthma Day! Organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) since 1998 to improve asthma awareness and care around the world, this year’s theme is “Hold your Breath” in recognition of those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Almost 3 million Canadians suffer with asthma – that’s almost 10% of the total population! Regrettably, they are so familiar with the dreadful sensation of not breathing freely as some COVID-19 patients experience. There is also no cure for asthma, and while effective treatments exist and some people are able to control their symptoms, others aren’t and they often have to restrict their daily activities to avoid triggers like pollen, pets and exercise. When triggered, an asthma attack can be frightening with feelings of suffocation, breathlessness, and loss of control, and can be potentially life threatening.
So, in the spirit of those that suffer with asthma, GINA asks all of us to take a minute, breathe deeply and hold our breath:
In solidarity to all those suffering from COVID-19
In support of the brave professionals and policy makers assisting those with COVID-19 and preventing further transmission of the virus
To praise all sleepless researchers trying to generate and disseminate knowledge to inform wise decisions to fight the pandemic
