Better management of lung disease with Sun Life
We are pleased to announce a generous contribution from Sun Life that will allow us to expand and enhance our digital offerings to help Canadians better manage their lung disease from the comfort of home.
This includes the expansion of CLA’s online home education and exercise program, Breathe BETTER | Stay STRONG, with additional opportunities for community connections, online support and new education modules that include the role that poor air quality can play in lung health.
In May 2024, Sun Life launched their Respiratory Care Program (RCP), delivered by Lumino Health™ Pharmacy [1], provided by Pillway [2], to support individuals in their management of lung health. We will also work collaboratively with Sun Life to develop digital resources for individuals living with asthma and COPD, which will be offered through RCP.
Honour our past by investing in our future!
Your donation of $125 in honour of our 125th birthday will support vital lung health research, advocacy and education that helps us all breathe easier — today and for generations to come.
New government = new opportunities to advance lung health in Canada
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new government includes new ministers on all of our advocacy files. As part of our continuing advocacy to protect lung health, we will be working in the coming weeks on making new introductions and leveraging the gains made with the last government.
This year we continue to prioritize:
- Reducing tobacco and nicotine use in Canada including the adoption of comprehensive restrictions on flavoured vaping products
- Championing clean air by reducing exposure to harmful emissions especially those caused by traffic related air pollution
- Increasing the levels of funding for research on respiratory health so that the investment matches the burden on Canadians
Read more about CLA’s advocacy accomplishments and priorities
125 years of standing strong for lung health
Through pandemics, war and extreme weather, from changing laws, research breakthroughs and increased survival rates, the Canadian Lung Association has been there for Canadians every breath of the way. We are very proud to be celebrating our 125th anniversary this year.
You can help us celebrate with an investment in our future. Your donation of $125 in honour of our 125th anniversary will support vital lung health research, advocacy and education that helps us all breathe easier — today and for generations to come.
Want to know more about our 125-year history? Find out about some major milestones in our 125-year history.
Curious about our future? Find out in our new Strategic Plan, 2024-2027.
Seasonal tips for healthy lungs: Wildfires
May marks the unofficial start of “wildfire season” in Canada. Wildfire smoke can travel thousands of kilometers, so even if you don’t live near an area vulnerable to wildfires, your lungs and respiratory system can still be affected. Read our complete list of the top 10 things you can do to protect yourself from wildfire smoke.
- Even if there are no active wildfires, make it a habit of checking the Air Quality Health Index for your area every day.
- Use Environment Canada’s free WeatherCAN app to set automatic notifications for air quality and temperature thresholds.
Two COPD projects awarded CLA funding grants
In April, we announced the funding of two research projects that will help improve the treatment and outcomes for those living with COPD. Researchers Devin Phillips and Graeme Koelwyn will each receive $30,000 for their innovative research that will help improve the treatment and outcomes for those living with COPD. Researchers will submit their final reports on these projects to CLA by May 31, 2026.
The impact of pulmonary vascular dysfunction on breathlessness in COPD
Devin Phillips, PhD, York University
Dr. Phillips and his team hope to better understand how the blood vessels in the lungs respond during exercise, and to see if differences in these responses are linked to the perceived shortness of breathing in patients with mild COPD. Dr. Phillips is an assistant professor of applied cardiorespiratory physiology in the School of Kinesiology and Health Science at York University.
Inflammatory memory in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Graeme Koelwyn, PhD, Simon Fraser University
Dr. Koelwyn and his team will be among the first to study how inflammatory memory of the body’s immune system contributes to the development and progression of COPD, unlocking new opportunities to develop or repurpose drugs that target these changes. Dr. Koelwyn is an assistant professor at Simon Fraser University and Canada Research Chair Tier II in Public Health ‘Omics in Exercise and Disease.
Inspiration Award presented to newsworthy research project
The Inspiration Award is presented to an early career researcher whose project is deemed the most newsworthy as communicated to a lay audience during their poster presentation. This year’s recipient was medical resident Emily Thorburn-Winsor from the University of Toronto, for her project “Quantifying increased risk of cardiovascular events in young patients with COPD”. This year’s award was presented to Emily Thorburn-Winsor by CEO Sarah Butson at the Canadian Respiratory Conference in Quebec City in April.
New resources available
If you or your travel companion is living with lung disease, particularly if they are travelling with oxygen, here are some useful tips to help you make the most of your vacation.
Interested in becoming a patient or caregiver advocate? Our March webinar offers some practical tips and living experience about using your story to influence change