More than a little ‘Puff’ required

12 April 2012

More than a little ‘Puff’ required

On a beautiful, clear Friday morning, Puff, the bright yellow Asthma Balloon, visited Pukeatua and Arakura Schools in Wainuiomata. As well as the buzz of seeing Puff, the children and parents received asthma education from Tu Kotahi Trust nurse Anne Webster. When asked how many of the children knew someone with asthma – nearly everyone raised their hands.

Puff tours New Zealand raising awareness of asthma and other respiratory conditions and his pilot, Denis Hall, works with asthma educators to inform school age children about these issues.

Puff is helping raise awareness of Asthma Awareness Week which runs from the 30 April – 6 May with Balloon Day, our fundraising day, on Friday, 4th May. Asthma affects over 600,000 kiwis and their families. 1 in 4 kids struggle to blow up a balloon, asthma won’t let them.

Look out for Puff during Asthma Awareness week who will be out and about over this time.

1. About 1 in 4 New Zealand children has asthma and 1 in 6 adults.
2. New Zealand has the second highest rate of asthma in the world, following the UK.
3. About 800 000 New Zealanders are affected by asthma and other respiratory conditions.
4. It is estimated that 550,000 school days are lost each year due to asthma.

About the Asthma Foundation

The Asthma Foundation is New Zealand’s not-for-profit sector authority on asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

We advocate to government and raise awareness of respiratory illnesses, fund research for better treatments and educate on best practice. We provide resources on our website and support our 17 affiliated Asthma Societies in providing education, support and advice.

www.asthmafoundation.org.nz
www.facebook.com/pages/The-Asthma-Foundation-New-Zealand/138365869581864

ENDS

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