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 pring is a time when people emerge from The enticements to join in this national activity A message from the editor-in-chief ...... 2 Stheir winter hibernation to enjoy the campaign are substantial. Fabulous prizes Your letters ...... 3 renewal of the coming season and attend to include sporting club memberships and a In the media ...... 4 their health and wellbeing. This year National signed Speedo Olympic FS2 swim suit of a Be Active for Asthma Campaign...... 6 Asthma Week has been moved to coincide medallist from Athens 2004. The national prize A champion is as a champion does...... 8 with the first week of spring (September 1 - 30) for the top fundraiser and their partner is lunch as this is a particularly trying time for people with Sam Riley at award winning Picasso’s Chicken or egg ...... 10 with asthma and allergies. The other important Restaurant in Brisbane, two nights Cleaning up a million good wishes ...... 12 aspect of this move is the launch of a new and accommodation at the Carlton Crest Hotel High Pitch...... 14 exciting activity called Be Active for Asthma. Brisbane and a Dyson HEPA DC11 vacuum The spice of life...... 15 Mark it in your long-term planners because this cleaner. Around Australia ...... 16 inaugural campaign is here to stay. Sponsorship and corporate partnerships are Education News...... 18 National Asthma Week will be overtaken by Be terribly important when it comes to the success Asthma - over the horizon. AFA’s First Active for Asthma, which is especially of campaigns like this. We would like to thank International Asthma Conference...... 19 significant because it is the first time that all the our great friends for their generous help in Contact Asthma Foundations have embarked on a making Be Active for Asthma a meaningful Asthma Update national community awareness and fund project and a huge success. Our major Suite 310, 63 Stead Street raising drive. The month of September will be sponsors are Merck Sharp and Dohme, South Melbourne Victoria 3205 Tel: 03 9696 7861 Fax: 03 9696 7397 devoted to fun activities to encourage not only AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKlein, Dyson, Email: [email protected] asthma sufferers but the wider population of M&CSAATCHI and Macquarie Bank. Our www.asthmaaustralia.org.au Australia to get active. The message we want support sponsors are Fitness First, Skipping Published by Asthma Foundations of Australia to reinforce is that people with asthma can get Girl, Australia Post and Speedo. © September 2004 Asthma Foundations of Australia fit and build strategies to prevent illness. Editor-in-chief We are especially thankful to the time Sam Michael Cassar, Chief Executive Officer, Asthma Foundations of Australia This issue of Asthma Update focuses on the Riley has taken to provide invaluable support Editorial team campaign and how best to manage asthma for this cause. You can read her inspirational Editor - Jeanette Leigh, Communications Project Officer, Asthma Foundations of Australia effectively in order to lead a normal active story in this issue. Michelle Menzies, Executive Officer, lifestyle. Being active is becoming a health Asthma Foundations of Northern Territory Be active and be well. Editorial Review Panel priority in Australia. In line with the Prime Megan Valentine, Minister’s commitment of $116 million towards Consumer Representative, Victoria Assoc. Prof Jo Douglass, Department of Allergy, fighting childhood obesity and promoting Immunology and respiratory Medicine, The Alfred Hospital, fitness, Asthma Foundations of Australia have Melbourne, Victoria Nigel Cooper, Education Manager, also taken up the baton to advance important Asthma Foundation of South Australia messages to the community about asthma Kellie Darley, Marketing and Communications Manager, Asthma Foundations of New South Wales management and to effect real behaviour Michael Cassar Dr. Chris Hogan, General Practitioner, change. CEO Asthma Foundations of Australia 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 Manufacturers of asthma medications are proud to support Asthma Update, Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Australia and Chair the national magazine for people with asthma, allergy and their carers. 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

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 controlling drug therapy in order to return lung fact that I am finally symptom free of asthma after a trial function to its best capacity. I presume that the first of Singulair. I am a 36 year old married mum with three step has been addressed. children and I have chronic asthma. Control over the last few years has not been good on Seretide 500/50, It is not clear why only some people respond well to two puffs twice a day. I tried Intal Forte but this was Singulair. This is true for all drugs. Singulair does not unsuccessful. My main problem was a chronic work better in people with allergies. I cannot say cough/wheeze, which was producing thick sticky whether the drug will in due course be given a listing mucus. This was hugely variable from day to day. as a PBS drug for adults. It is available for children Unfortunately this cough predisposed me to bacterial with frequent episodic or mild persistent asthma as chest infections, which were becoming a regular monotherapy, not as an add-on treatment. occurrence. In turn the chest infections aggravated the The good thing about Singulair is that if it is going to asthma. work it will be obvious within 2-4 weeks of starting. After trialling Losec for acid reflux, Bisolvon to try to Some people will undertake this trial but will be break down the mucus and a six week course of prepared to stop its use at the end of that period of antibiotics, the cough stubbornly remained. A time if no benefit is found. If helpful the dose of bronchoscopy was done, only to find inflamed airways Singulair can be also adjusted. producing mucus plugs. Only oral Prednisone seemed A word of caution about the high doses of Seretide to work, but it was only used intermittently. I had almost that you have used in the past as you have taken resigned myself to coping with this cough for the rest doses that are twice the upper limit, prescribed only of my life. It was suggested that I trial Singulair on top in very special circumstances. It is important to scale of Seretide. I didn’t expect it to work but I have not down the doses as early as possible after a trial of looked back since. By day six, I was virtually cough higher dose therapy. free and I am now starting to reduce the Seretide. My peakflow reading is now at the predicted level. Finally when there is a lack of response to what Singulair is expensive but it has changed my life. My seemed to have been correct treatment of asthma, as lungs finally feel free and I savour each clear, cough in your case, it is important to have the doctor check free breath. 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 Wed Jun 23 2004

omething as simple as an asthma spray or a skin cream “Suddenly it has all changed,” Professor Stricker said, “and it’s Scould trigger a doping drama in Athens, said Professor hard to get the athletes to understand all the changes. You’ve Peter Stricker. The latest list of banned substance released by still got to trust that they will all get it right, and you’re always the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) in January contained worried that one might slip through the net or fall through the “significant” changes, he said. cracks. It only takes one asthmatic out there not thinking who will inadvertently, dare I say, take a couple of puffs, and the whole Caffeine, for example, is no longer on the list. But 140 of drama starts again. It has been nothing short of a nightmare.” 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 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

Sam qualifies 3rd fastest in the Women's 200m If you fancy lunch with breaststroke at the 96 Atlanta Olympics 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 provided first aid training for sport coaches, trainers and Vto embark on a month of solid seaweed salvaging recreational leaders. Health, fitness and sporting clubs were and Tom from Tasmania will be traipsing his way enthusiastic in taking up the baton to engage their members through the Trowunna Wildlife Park in search of a to participate. thylacine. Olympic swimmer Sam Riley OAM will not be on “The pilot was so successful that we decided to expand it such heady trails but as the campaign’s patron she hopes nationally as a way to involve communities. Participants will to inspire even the frailest of people with asthma to take up be drawn from sporting organizations, youth clubs and the challenge and do some kind of activity. schools. The other aim is to encourage people who might The gig is as follows; you can engage in any kind of activity, not understand asthma to become involved,' says Jeanette. from weeding the garden to running, swimming, walking the We want each state to recruit around 4000 people who ferret or spring cleaning the house and you simply find would receive a minimum donation of $2 per hour. Because people to sponsor you to perform this exercise for 15 hours 24 hours of exercise seemed daunting, the requirement has at your convenience. However those who are unable to been lowered to coincide with government recommendations achieve 15 hours can participate to the level of their ability. of 30 minutes exercise per day with a 15 hour minimum. One of the exciting aspects of this campaign is having the inspirational Sam Riley on board. All the frivolity will be tempered with some serious health messages. Obesity is now a public health issue. There are a “Asthma Foundations in all states want people to staggering number of overweight children in Australia; 1 in 5 understand that asthma should not be an impediment to are overweight and 1 in 10 are obese. Australia is the success in any area of pursuit. Sam Riley is a shining second most overweight developed country after the USA. example of that,' says Asthma Foundations of Australia Obesity is also an issue for people with asthma who too National Marketing & Development Manager, Jeanette often believe they are unable to manage the condition well McKinnon. enough to pursue exercise. The cycle is perpetuated This campaign was built on the success of similar because overweight people are less physically active. campaigns conducted in Victoria and South Australia last Jeanette McKinnon stresses that this is also an opportunity year called 24 Hour Workout for Asthma where participants for all Australians to get on board and establish a good spent 24 non-consecutive hours doing some kind of activity. fitness regime. This was refined into Be Active for Asthma. The funds raised

6 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 TOP FUNDRAISER – NATIONAL www.asthmaaustralia.org.au or call The Top National Fundraiser prize will consists of: 1x powerful Dyson DC11 HEPA vacuum cleaner, accommodation for 2 nights (for two) 1800 645 130 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. 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 in a safe and appropriate way. we could get out and be active. Maybe instead of driving to the Aside from madcap publicity stunts by our states keen sporting local shops people will ride a bike, walk or run. Smokers can use hero ambassadors, there is a very real issue that must not be this as an occasion to quit and get fit.' lost in all the revelry, which is that asthma management can Apart from scuba diving, people with asthma should be able to provide people with the ability to enjoy a better quality of life participate in any sport as often as they like. This can be through fitness activities. achieved by having an Asthma Action Plan and working with a By Jeanette Leigh doctor or fitness expert to ensure that fitness goals are built up to

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 swimming helped. It wasn’t until I increased my training at S greatest ever female swimmers. When we think of age15 from four to eight hours a week that I noticed a dramatic Sam we consider her illustrious history as a sportswoman improvement. Even now if I experience some tightness I jump with accolades including the Medal of the Order of Australia, into the pool.' the Prime Ministerial Award of Female Athlete of the Year As well as being one of Australia’s most popular sporting and as a record breaking swimmer. Now she is keeping personalities her trophy room must be a metallurgist’s dream abreast of asthma by being the Asthma Foundations of as her achievements include three Olympic medals; two World Australia Be Active patron. Her role is to help raise Championship Gold medals, five Commonwealth Games community awareness of a chronic condition that she has medals (four gold) and nine Pan Pacific Games medals. Sam suffered from since early childhood. has also set three world and two Commonwealth records. She “At four I had my first asthma attack and at seven my doctor achieved all this while managing a chronic health condition, suggested I learn to swim to help my general fitness and lung which in her early years had her in emergency wards about capacity. It was fantastic advice. I was still hospitalised twice a year. regularly in those early years although my parents said the

8 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 bit tired I would do an easy swim. That was where my coach did just something she always had. She never knew any different. a fantastic job in being flexible. He would never say, you can’t do the session, he would modify the session to suit me.' “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 Sam retired from swimming four years ago and has a young embarrassment at school. If I needed to take my Ventolin I son to take care of. There are no more hospital visits due to would hide behind a tree so no one would see me. Now it is asthma because she has it under control. Her major triggers more accepted.' are the dust mite, sudden changes in weather and bouts of colds or flu. It wasn’t long before Sam’s potential as a breaststroker became evident. At 15 her coach “Because I have had asthma for so was Laurie Lawrence. He knew she long, I know my triggers and how to was a natural with the leg flexibility “Because I have had asthma avoid them. I get on top of it before that characterized a good for so long, I know my triggers it gets to that stage.’ breaststroke swimmer. and how to avoid them. ” Being asked to front the Be Active “Laurie took me to the 1988 for Asthma campaign was an Olympic trials hoping the experience would inspire me to do opportunity for Samantha Riley to share some of her more training. It worked. I got to see Duncan Armstrong and a experiences and encourage people to manage their asthma few of my swimming heroes who trained with Laurie and made better. the team. Duncan won gold that year.' “I wanted people, especially children, to know that asthma For anyone to become a champion it takes dedication and an doesn’t have to stop you exercising, that you can do what you ironclad work ethic. For someone with asthma it takes the want by taking good care of yourself. People who have had same dedication with some modifications thrown in. asthma for a long time think they can manage for themselves without seeing a doctor. It is important for me to see a doctor “The excitement of training for the Olympics was enough regularly. My dad also has asthma. I encouraged him to see a motivation for me to get up at 4.45 every morning. It was such doctor and get some preventative medication telling him it a great experience. We trained outdoors throughout the year in would change his life. At first he resisted. When he finally took Brisbane. August is renowned up here for westerly winds, that step he couldn’t believe the difference it made. Seeing which is one of my asthma triggers. That was hard. People say your doctor regularly and having an asthma management plan it doesn’t get cold in Brisbane but some days it was zero means that you can lead the life that you want.' 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 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.

talented twelve year old soccer player is obstruction that causes difficulty breathing in so they choke. A promoted from the under 12’s to the under 14’s This gets interpreted as Exercise Induced Asthma (EIA) but it and elected as captain of his team. The match begins doesn’t respond to anti-asthma therapy. What they need is and twenty minutes into the game he collapses. He has breathing exercises to learn how to control it. It is a simple trouble breathing, he is choking in fact, but he does not effective intervention and it is important for people to know have asthma, he has a laryngeal dysfunction. that it exists.' “This is a world recognised phenomenon that is not well A number of issues are involved with sport and respiratory recognised in the community. It occurs particularly in elite dysfunctions. Exercise is a common trigger for Asthma but child athletes where the child goes into training without a there are other similar symptoms that may be attributable to problem and when match day comes they get a throat other conditions.

10 Asthma Foundations of Australia is the leading consumer authority on asthma education,information, research, support and advocacy. “Doctors, relatives and enthusiastic physical education teachers incidence of attacks but it will make people fitter and more able can mistake a child who exercises and gets out of breath as to cope,' says Assoc. Professor Peter van Asperen, Head of having asthma when they are actually just unfit. Sometimes Department of Respiratory Medicine, Children’s Hospital, general practitioners don’t take long detailed histories so when a Westmead. mother comes in and says Billy can’t keep up at sport, they Children with troublesome asthma are generally likely to be less assume that it is EIA. Because we are so aware of asthma there fit than those who don’t have asthma. There is no difference in is a tendency to get kids started on treatment when it may not fitness between children with mild asthma and those without be appropriate,' says Assoc. Prof Robertson. asthma because they can participate in normal activities. In this scenario reliever medication won’t work. Doctors need to “If a child has EIA then they are limited in the training they can be diligent. Part of the diagnostic process is to determine do and so don’t achieve normal levels of fitness,' says Assoc. whether the child coughs and wheezes, whether there is a Prof. Robertson. “However a number of studies show that if you strong family history of asthma or allergy and if there are other identify that group of children, treat their asthma and train them, triggers; also whether the medication is actually effective. they can achieve normal fitness. This is evidenced by the large Doctors may also do a lung function test and exercise body of elite athletes who go ahead and achieve despite challenge. chronic asthma.' If asthma symptoms are experienced during or after exercise, play or sport then it may be EIA. Symptoms include coughing, By Jeanette Leigh 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. 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 James Dyson challenged his MD’s to find an organisation in Abuilding awareness for community programs. their region that shared his belief in the importance of This has been evidenced by the successful collaboration research, in order to work towards creating significant between Dyson Appliances and Asthma Foundations of lifestyle change within the community. The journey began in Australia to raise a target $1million to help beat asthma in England with commitments to breast cancer campaigns and Australia. meningitis research. They even sponsored a fund raising walk across Antarctica. The million dollars has contributed to education programs and initiatives by providing printed educational material that The Triple Bottom Line approach to business, which focuses highlights the enormous impact of asthma, which afflicts not only on financial performance, but economic, social and over two million Australians. Working at a state level Dyson environmental performance, is reflected in Dyson’s provided funds for projects that would in turn assist them to involvement in life enhancing activities. Not for profit raise more money. Funding is crucial to the process of organizations like Asthma Foundations of Australia rely not raising awareness and reducing the incidence of asthma only on government funding, corporate involvement is attacks and death among Australians. Working with Dyson, 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.

At the same time Dyson have been working closely with who have utilized point-of-sale to educate the public former Olympic swimming champion Sam Riley in their regarding asthma management, meant that a wider support of Be Active for Asthma. audience was accessed. Furthering this opportunity, Harvey Norman also came on board and donated $5 for each “Many families might be surprised to know that 1 in 6 vacuum cleaner they sold throughout April and May 2004. Australian children have a current diagnosis of asthma and 397 Australians died from asthma in 2002. Illness and death Asthma Foundations message is clear, that a balance of associated with asthma can be reduced with proper exercise, medication and self management is the key to diagnosis, medical management and education," says Sam. managing asthma, but it needs to be broadcast far and wide. Ross Cameron, MD for Dyson Appliances Australia & New Zealand looks forward to an ongoing and fruitful relationship “The problem is that too few Australians understand the with Australian Asthma Foundations. importance of an Asthma Action Plan; knowing the signs of an asthma attack and the triggers that lead to an attack are “Dyson Appliances are a committed supporter of asthma crucial,” says Peter Adamson, President of Asthma education in Australia. We will continue to partner the Foundations of Australia. 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 By Leanne Ortiz

ustralian softball captain and Asthma Foundation Peta’s well organised trophy cabinet is proudly filled with Aof Victoria Sporting Achiever Peta Edebone is memorabilia from her softball career including the two about to fulfill her goal of becoming a three-time Olympic bronze medals she earned in Atlanta (1996) and Olympian. She has captained the Victorian state team for Sydney (2000). 11 years and is currently captaining the team for the Athens Simon Roskvist, head coach of the Australian women’s Olympics. Despite the fact that she has had asthma since softball team for the Athens Olympics, recalls the 2-run infancy, her achievements in softball bear the mark of a home run which Edebone smashed at the Sydney Olympics champion. in the bottom of the 13th innings, to steal the game from the Now Peta is one of the ambassadors for the Asthma formidable USA outfit. Foundation of Victoria’s Be Active for Asthma campaign. “I experienced first hand one of those sporting feats that She says her experiences with the Asthma Foundation and becomes legendary.” the Variety Club of Australia have given her valuable perspective and inspire her whenever injuries or setbacks Peta is honoured to have been selected as captain and occur. believes the team for Athens will field a good balance of youth and experience. Peta has competed around the globe and secured many awards and accolades for her efforts. At the Blacktown “If we play our absolute best throughout the rounds, then we International Softball Challenge in April, Edebone joined can be playing off in the gold medal game,” she says. Natalie Ward in becoming the Regardless of the enormous achievements, her softball second and third players in journey has been a difficult one. Injuries have plagued the history of Softball Peta’s career almost forcing her out of the Atlanta team Australia to play 300 where she competed with a broken right foot. She even games for Australia, a came perilously close to ending her three-time Olympic feat only previously dream for Athens after sustaining a grade two tear of the achieved by retired medial ligament in her left knee. dual Olympian Sally Rehabilitation has involved a 10 week process of McCreedy. 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 Fdoesn’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. “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 The following recipe is straight from Sue’s nutritious touch with our bodies and hyper-aware of how we respond cookbook and provides a great breakfast alternative. to certain foods we can avoid foods that may trigger asthma Other recipes can be found on www.systemstanley.com or other allergies and sensitivities. “Write down everything that you eat and monitor how those foods react with you. Everyone should do it, not just those STRAWBERRY DELIGHT with asthma. This way you get to know the foods that relate Ingredients well to your body,” says Sue. “As a professional sports 100grams Strawberries person if I knew then what I know today about how my body 300grams Apples responds to food it would have been easier for me as a 100grams Banana competitor. In aerobics we were judged on strength, flexibility and appearance so food played a big part in not Method only expending energy but looking good.' Wash the strawberries and According to Sue Stanley, a variety of food is the spice of life apples, remove the cores from and will in turn spice up your life. the apples and cut into pieces to fit through the “We tend to fall into the same patterns and eat the same juicer. Push the thing day in and day out so we only get a certain set of strawberries and apple nutrients and miss out on others. It is a good idea to have a through the juicer using the little bit of everything.' safety plunger. Peel and chop the Consuming a different breakfast every morning is a good banana. Blend the banana and juice start. If you have cereal every day your body is going to to a creamy consistency. Pour into become bored and the energy output to digest it decreases. a glass and Alternating cereal with fruit, eggs and toast will spark up an enjoy. uninspired metabolism. 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 Sconsuming 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.

And in South Australia, radio personality Anne Sports presenter Stephen Silvagni joins Wonder Woman (Footy Show’s Renee Henderson) in a Wills launched Soupa Day on Friday 2nd July quest for truth, justice and freedom from asthma. 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 Aself 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. 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 Young Siobhan Tonks enjoys her time has wonderful benefits for children with respiratory illnesses like with her swimming instructor in the Woodside Asthma Swim Program (above). asthma. A recent W.A.S.P. survey showed a marked improvement in participants understanding of asthma Jessica Jones proudly receives her award. 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. 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 Victoria

he Asthma Friendly Schools (AFS) Program he Victorian AFS program is moving ahead in T is continuing its strong growth and T 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 percent of Victorian schools have completed the Supporting schools through the process of becoming program and 80 percent of all schools in the state have ‘Asthma Friendly’ is our biggest interest and challenge. registered to take part. A variety of strategies have been devised to this end. 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 registered, especially when the program is simple, Several wonderful resources complementing the easy to implement and incurs no charges.’ program have been developed including a ‘Mission 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 AsthmaAsthma –– OverOver thethe horizonhorizon 7th – 9th September 2005

sthma Foundations of Australia, renowned for opportunity for delegates to access product information from A being innovative and proactive in the best manufacturers, suppliers and companies from a variety of management practice of asthma is traversing new areas in the health field. territory by holding their key event, the 2005 Australian ABOUT SABAH Asthma Conference on the island of Sabah in Malaysia. Asthma – Over the horizon, the theme of the new venture, the “Land below the Wind” aims to bring together experts from across the globe to Apart from the obvious benefits of attending this symposium, explore and pool information regarding different cultural and the added attraction is the location. Sabah is an island that scientific approaches to asthma sits at the tip of Borneo. It is the and to showcase the world’s third largest island. The tremendous volume of research climate is tropical and it is and resources that our summer all year round. Daily organization has to offer. temperatures range from 23 to Researchers predict that rates of 33 degrees, with cooler asthma will double over the next weather up in the mountains. 10 years in Asia alone. The theme, Asthma – Over the Its population comprises horizon, reflects the fact that several ethnic groups speaking asthma knows no geographical, more than 80 local dialects. cultural or religious boundaries. They are a diverse yet The conference committee harmonious mix of interwoven consists of an experienced team drawn from the seven cultures and traditions. Kota Kinabalu (referred to by locals Australian Asthma Foundations who are currently developing as KK) is the capital of Sabah. There are mountain ranges a broad international program. There will be an eclectic mix of (Mount Kinabalu), fertile plains covered in lush forests and keynote speakers with plenary sessions, specific issue exotic plants and wildlife dwell deep in the forests and symposia and practical skills workshops. surrounding waters (Uncle Tan’s Jungle Sanctuary is a must This conference is a must for anyone affected by or interested see). There is also a wide range of activities available from in the issues concerning asthma. Your host for this extreme adventure sports to more leisurely pursuits. conference is Asthma Foundation Northern Territory (AFNT) KK is a mixture of bright lights, excellent cuisines and a major who were the proud winners of the Prime Minister’s award for highlight are its unspoiled islands just 10 minutes by excellence in Community Business Partnerships in 2003 for speedboat from the city centre. Sabah, the land below the the NT. They are thrilled to have the opportunity of bringing wind, is a fabulous tourist destination that will attract this important event to Australians as well as our neighbours delegates from across the globe. to the north. ‘We will continue to strive to work closely with our partners and sponsors to maintain this standard and tradition,’ says INVITATION Michelle Menzies, Executive Officer of AFNT. We invite delegates to register now for this ground A range of interactive workshop sessions will be presented by breaking conference. leading Australian and International researchers and For more information please contact Desliens practitioners. Throughout the conference program and Phone 08 8941 0388 associated events, delegates will have the opportunity to Fax 08 8981 8382 network with peers, leading respiratory researchers and Email [email protected] practitioners. The 2005 conference will also provide the

For further information contact your local Asthma Foundation 1800 645 130 www.asthmaaustralia.org.au 19 Dyson doesn’t lose suction, so it removes more microscopic fine dust from your home.

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