ACT Leader endorses asthma campaign

Epsom MP and ACT Leader Rodney Hide says he was astonished to hear that about one in six New Zealand adults and one in four Kiwi kids has asthma.

Endorsing the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation’s Balloon Day 2008 campaign at his Parliamentary office yesterday Mr Hide said: “this campaign is great. Asthma was not a condition that I was particularly aware of.”

“Of course, I had seen people with their puffers. But I certainly didn’t know that New Zealand has the second highest rate of asthma in the world [after the UK]. I was astonished at the incidence.

“Learning this raised my awareness and the more we know about issues like this, the more we can help our fellow Kiwis.”

Balloon Day is the Foundation’s annual campaign to increase awareness of asthma and raise funds for research that benefits children with asthma. One of the Foundation’s main goals is educating all New Zealanders about asthma, including how common it is.

Balloon Day itself is on 10 May, 2008 and the Foundation has 60 Asthma Friendly Schools on board for activities leading up and on the day and during the remainder of May. Events are also planned for the day at Mitre 10 Megas across the country.

Balloon Day is sponsored by Contact Energy, with support from Mitre 10.

ENDS

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