Breathing is not a privilege it is a right

Media Statement
The Asthma Foundation

16 April 2013

Breathing is not a privilege it is a right, says teen television sensation!

For Erin Simpson and her family, being hospitalised with asthma at the age of eight highlighted how serious asthma can be. “I remember thinking that you can die from asthma,” Erin says. “This was a pretty scary thought for an eight year old to deal with and the attack gave the whole family a huge shock.”

Erin is one of the judges for the Asthma Foundation’s awareness campaign Dance 4 Asthma.

The Dance 4 Asthma campaign, coinciding with Asthma Awareness Week, encourages schools to dance to raise awareness of the 600,000 Kiwis with asthma. It is particularly relevant to our young people – in New Zealand 1 in 4 kids has asthma and these kids lose 550,000 school days every year. The Asthma Foundation encourages all young people to be active and well, and dancing is something everyone can do that is fun!

“I keep very busy and work massive days with the Erin Simpson Show, often 10 hour days 6-7 days per week, so there is no question that I have to be on my A-game all the time, both mentally and physically,” says Erin. “My asthma has never held me back because I understand the importance of being fit and healthy. I can take part in any activities: running, snowboarding, bungy jumping and bog snorkeling – but only because I have my inhalers, both relievers and preventers, in my bag. As soon as I stop taking them I can really feel it. As long as I take my medication I am fine.”

Angela Francis, chief executive of the Asthma Foundation, is looking forward to the campaign launch. “This is our second Dance 4 Asthma campaign and we are pleased about the opportunity to raise awareness of asthma in this way. We are keen for kids with asthma to have the same opportunity to reach their fullest potential as other children do. This is the message behind Dance 4 Asthma,” says Angela.

“At the end of the day I believe that breathing is not a privilege it is a right. Dance 4 Asthma offers me the opportunity to celebrate being active and support the Asthma Foundation who advocate for those of us who struggle to breath,” says Erin. “I am very excited to see everyone dancing, as any form of dancing works – I’ll be entertained whatever comes my way! And my viewers will be entertained when they get to see the winning videos played on my show.”

Dance 4 Asthma

Dance 4 Asthma involves schools creating a video of students performing an original dance to Brooke Duff’s ‘Til the end’ and posting it on YouTube by the 17th May. Schools are encouraged to put their originality behind the dance. There are prizes of iPads for the winners of the best secondary, intermediate and primary school.

To register for Dance 4 Asthma, schools can email dance@asthmafoundation.org.nz by the 22nd April or visit our website www.asthmafoundation.org.nz for more information.

Asthma in New Zealand

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 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 affiliated asthma societies and trusts in providing education, support and advice.
For more information, visit the Asthma Foundation’s website www.asthmafoundation.org.nz

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