The Asthma Society of Ireland today launches their first ever virtual conference as part of Asthma Awareness Week 2021. The conference, kindly supported by GSK, will take place virtually on Wednesday 5th May 2021 from 13.00-14.30 and the Asthma Society encourages the public to register online via asthma.ie for the free informational event aimed at the 380,000 people living with asthma in Ireland, their families, and healthcare providers.
The speaker lineup for the Love Your Lungs Asthma Conference features healthcare experts like Respiratory Consultant at St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dr Marcus Butler, GP and Asthma Specialist Advisor to the HSE and the Asthma Society, Dr Dermot Nolan and Head of Respiratory at CHI Crumlin, Dr Des Cox. The theme of the conference is ‘Love Your Lungs’ and the discussion will focus on living well with asthma. The Asthma Society and GSK aim to support asthma patients through the unique challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, to provide expert respiratory advice and lifestyle suggestions, and encourage best practice asthma management.
The Love Your Lungs Asthma Conference will share the stories of asthma patients and their experience of living with asthma amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. One such patient is Rebecca Houlihan from Portarlington, Co. Laois – a 22 year old living with severe asthma. Due to asthma related complications, she has been in and out of hospital frequently and has been cocooning much of the past year. She recently had her first COVID-19 vaccination and looks forward to hopefully soon resuming a normal life.
Sarah O’Connor, CEO of the Asthma Society said, “The past year has been a particularly worrying time for those with asthma and their families. As COVID-19 is a respiratory illness, it is vital that people with asthma are in control of their condition and so, Asthma Awareness Week 2021’s overarching objective is to focus on the importance of good asthma management to prevent asthma deaths. The Love Your Lungs Asthma Conference is our first ever virtual conference and we are delighted to be supported by GSK in the delivery of this much needed online event. Aimed at people with asthma, and their families, the conference is also an opportunity for healthcare professionals to engage with us for the latest scientific evidence and medications. We hope this conference will be an opportunity for patients and healthcare professionals to learn together how best to manage this chronic condition and to boost patients’ confidence when engaging with their nurse, GP or consultant. Ireland has one of the highest prevalence rates of asthma in the world with 1 in 10 children and 1 in 13 adults living with asthma so it is essential that patients are in control of their condition, especially in the current environment. Please save the date and register today for the 5th of May. We look forward to welcoming you there.”
Dr. Eavan Daly, Director of Medical Affairs, GSK Pharma Ireland, said: “GSK is proud to continue to support the crucial work of the Asthma Society of Ireland by sponsoring the the first ever “Love Your Lungs” Virtual Conference as part of Asthma Awareness Week 2021. It has never been more important for those living with asthma to have control of their condition and we would encourage people to register for this event and access the expert support and advice they need to continue to navigate the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic.”
A Q&A section will be held with the panel with an opportunity for attendees to ‘ask the expert’ of their choosing. To register for the free event visit asthma.ie
The Asthma Society Love Your Lungs Virtual Fundraiser will also be taking place throughout Asthma Awareness Week (1 – 8 May 2021). Support the Asthma Society of Ireland’s crucial services by signing up to our ‘Love Your Lungs’ virtual fundraiser, kindly supported by ALK. Supporters are asked to Stroll, Stretch or Stride 5K, 10k or 15k steps a day on behalf of the Asthma Society to smash our target of over 10 million steps. Participants are asked to register to participate via asthma.ie for the entry fee of €15 (which is donated to the Asthma Society), and fundraise on behalf of the Asthma Society of Ireland through iDonate. If any person, for health or other reasons, can’t walk or run, they can still log whatever steps they can manage or can simply donate via www.asthma.ie.
For more information about Asthma Awareness Week 2021, please visit www.asthma.ie or keep an eye on our social channels.
