Leaders in Lung Health

Leaders in Lung Health 2014/2015 Annual Report Message From the CEO & Chair In this report, the Lung Association of Nova Scotia (LANS) is pleased t...
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Leaders in Lung Health 2014/2015 Annual Report

Message From the CEO & Chair

In this report, the Lung Association of Nova Scotia (LANS) is pleased to provide an overview of the projects and initiatives we overtook in the 2014-15 year. Throughout this report, your will discover the incredible leadership our organization has established in the research, advocacy and support of lung health initiatives in Nova Scotia. Our board, medical advisory team and in-house staff have worked together to establish a road map for the future of lung health in Nova Scotia. In our day-to-day programming, we have continued to provide vital services such as our Equipment Exchange Program, transplant patient and family support, Camp Treasure Chest, smoking cessation support and radon detection and awareness. In establishing the future of lung health in Nova Scotia, we have provided essential seed funding to research projects through our Legacy Research Grants and set record breaking numbers in attendance and sponsorship at our annual Atlantic Respirology and Critical Care Conference, a premiere professional development event for Respirologists, Respirology Therapists and medical students. This event continues to attract leading lung health specialists from across North America to present on and learn about important respiratory and critical care topics. We have also continued to take a leadership role in the advocacy of lung health in the Province. We have taken a balanced approach to the issue of e-cigarettes in Nova Scotia and have spearheaded the important dialogue needed around this controversial topic. We have opened our doors to proponents on both sides of this issue to gain as much research and knowledge as we can to shape the next steps of our approach. We have worked with partners and Nova Scotians to identify the most critical needs affecting lung health in the province and have established priorities around Lung Cancer, Air Quality in Pictou County, Smoking Cessation, Radon Gas and Spirometry Testing to develop a proactive approach to lung health in Nova Scotia. When you can’t breathe, nothing else matters. At LANS we will do everything we can to ensure Nova Scotians can breathe easier, both now and in the future. LANS is also working to contribute to the Nova Scotia economy through the establishment of a thriving entrepreneurial community at our 6331 Lady Hammond Road location. Over the past year, significant upgrades were made to the building to increase its value as a long term capital investment for LANS. These upgrades have provided stable infrastructure to our existing secure tenants – Kinesic Sport Lab and White’s Accounting Services – and have allowed us to attract and retain a new long term tenant – Lady Hammond Animal Hospital. With this line up of dynamic businesses, we are positioned to establish our facility as a business hub in Halifax’s North End. We have continued to diversify our approach to fundraising and donor relations to better position LANS in the competitive sector of not-for-profit. With our partners at Credit Union Atlantic and the Halifax Internationall Airport Authority we have continued to evolve and grow our two signature running events - The Lung Run and the Runway Run. These events are vital to our success and would not be possible without the continued support of these great organizations.

Message From the CEO & Chair cont.

We could not deliver any of this without the hard work and backing of our board, medical advisory team, partners, volunteers and staff. We would like to acknowledge our outgoing Chair, Kelsey MacAulay, for his guidance, support and dedication to our organization and mandate. Through his leadership and long-term vision, Kelsey helped re-position the organization for future success through his support of upgrades to our physical property, which has become our single largest asset, and through the development of a new HR structure that will benefit LANS for years to come. In addition, we thank retiring Board members Bill Haley, Dick Whynot and Trevor Umlah for their contributions to our mission throughout their terms of service. As a double lung transplant recipient, Trevor Umlah was a pioneer in bringing the issue of transplant services and organ donation to the forefront of LANS and has provided valuable guidance and knowledge to the organization throughout his term. We would like to thank our ongoing partners – Camp Brigadoon, Credit Union Atlantic and the Halifax International Airport Authority for their commitment to our initiatives. As a not-for-profit organization, we rely heavily on the generous time commitment our volunteers put in on behalf of the cause. We sincerely thank all of those who donate their time to help us achieve our mission. We would like to take this opportunity to recognize one volunteer in particular for their loyal years of service. The volunteer efforts of Glen Bourque of Breathe ‘n’ Air Respiratory Services Inc are key to the success of our Equipment Exchange Program. Glen donates this time to refurbish each and every machine donated through this program and we are grateful for his generous support. Lastly, I would like to acknowledge the staff of LANS who dedicate each and every day to delivering on our mandate. Over the past year our team has evolved and we have welcomed several new additions to ensure we have the best possible group in place to deliver on our goals. I would like to welcome Hilton Botma, Tammy Mercier, Leslie Childs and Abbi Hennigar to the LANS team. I would also like to acknowledge our existing team Robert MacDonald, Lynette Hollet, Diane Grant and Mohammad Al-hamdani who are playing a vital role in integrating and educating the members of LANS. Thank you for your continued support of LANS and our mandate. Please enjoy this review of the past years successes and join us in tackling our exiting future endeavours. Yours in lung health,

Kelsey MacAulay Chairman of the Board

Louis Brill, President and CEO

Annual Report 2014/2015

Leaders in Health & Advocacy

Board of Directors 2014/2015

Medical Advisory Board 2014/2015

Officers: Kelsey MacAulay, Chair Dan Marcil, Past Chair Paul MacDonald, Vice Chair Edwin Merry, Treasurer Greg Cowell, Secretary Dr. Wade Watson, Chair, Medical Advisory Board Executive at Large: Tim Brennan Richard Whynot Trevor Umlah Bill Haley Dr. Dennis Bowie William Fougere Valerie Bellefontaine Linda Gregory Andrea Power Louis Brill

Dr. Wade Watson, Chair Dr. Dennis Bowie Dr. Paul Hernandez Ms. Pat Steele Dr. Roger T. Michael Dr. Debra Morrison Dr. Sandeep Kapur Dr. Dan Hughes Dr. Nancy Morrison

LANS Staff Louis Brill, President & CEO Robert MacDonald, Director of Health Initiatives Mohammad Al-hamdani, Manager of Health Initiatives Tammy Mercier, Director of Fund Development Abbi Hennigar, Director of Communications Leslie Childs, Manager of Communications Hilton Botma, Manager of Finance & Administration Lynette Hollett, Manager of Donor Relations Diane Grant, Office Manager

Annual Report 2014/2015

Leaders in Research & Education

Atlantic Respirology and Critical Care Conference 2014 was a record setting year for the Atlantic Respiratory and Critical Care Conference (AR&CC). The 26th Annual conference achieved its highest numbers to date in terms of registration, sponsorship and overall satisfaction. 120 delegates made up of specialists, doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and medical students participated in the conference. Our sincere thanks goes out to our conference co-chairs Dr. Sam Minor and Louis Brill, conference manager Mohammad Al-hamdani and organizing committee for making this event such a success.

Legacy Research Grants Legacy research grants are designed to provide seed funding in support of high quality, leading edge respiratory health related research in Nova Scotia. The Legacy Research Grant Review Committee and the LANS Board of Directors can approve grants, as high as $25,000 per grant, to support research dedicated to the prevention, management or support of lung disease. In 2014-2015, LANS awarded three grants to the following projects: The Effect of Weight Loss on Lung Biomechanics Dr. Paul Hernandez Medication Adherence as a Safety Issue: Generating Theory from the Perceptions of Adults Dr. Marilyn MacDonald Systematic Reporting for Lung Cancer Screening in Nova Scotia Dr. Daria Manos

Annual Report 2014/2015

Leaders in Advocacy Smoking Cessation and the E-Cigarette Issue Smoking rates in Nova Scotia continue to rank amongst the highest in Canada. Smoking is the leading cause of lung disease. LANS continues to take a leading role the fight to eradicate the use of tobacco in Nova Scotia. LANS continues to engage the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness in consultations surrounding tobacco use and regulation. 2014-15 saw the launch of new legislation banning the sale of flavoured tobacco in the province, an important step forward in the fight against tobacco. LANS has also continued to take a leading role in ensuring a balanced, reasonable, approach in the discussion of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aide. It is agreed that there is a need for more research into the long term effects and overall safety of e-cigarette use. We urge government action ensures that this research, and necessary regulations, are put in place to guarantee this cessation tool is as safe as it can be for users. Through our research and public forum, we have heard anecdotal evidence from countless former tobacco users who have successfully used e-cigarettes to quit smoking after failing in many other attempts. This evidence is encouraging when determining the effectiveness of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool. As an organization dedicated to lung health and safety, it is our belief that cessation from smoking all together, traditional or e-cigarettes, is the best approach for overall lung health. That said, we cannot ignore the potential of e-cigarettes as a less-harmful alternative to long term tobacco users. LANS will continue to support the necessary research and dialogue around this important issue.

Annual Report 2014/2015

Leaders in Advocacy Take Action on Radon The Take Action on Radon (TAOR) campaign is designed to increase public awareness on the existence of radon gas in most homes and the potential side effects of long-term exposure. The campaign encourages home owners to test the radon levels in their home to know their risk of exposure and provides tips to address radon when higher than normal levels are present. Radon is a radioactive gas produced naturally by the decay of uranium in the ground. It exists all over the world, although the amount of uranium and level of radon gas vary significantly, even from one house to the next. Radon is invisible, you can’t see it, smell or taste it and it can get into your home undetected. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified long term radon gas exposure as the second leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking. The level of risk depends on the concentration of radon as well as the number of years of exposure. The LANS has become the provincial leader in advocating radon awareness and detection. In 2014-15, the association provided multiple media interviews on radon awareness which lead to the sale of 550 radon detectors, a 50% sales increase over the previous year. In addition, LANS created a Radon Working Group in conjunction with Health Canada and the Lung Association of New Brunswick to promote Radon Awareness and the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP) certification measurement to homebuilders and contractors. Through this initiative LANS was able to participate in the Nova Scotia Homebuilders Association Real Home Show which lead to increased exposure for the program.

IPF Forum Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a type of lung disease in which tissue deep in your lungs becomes thick and stiff, or scarred, over time. In 2014-15 LANS held their first public forum on this issue in Sydney. The forum attracted over 30 participants to hear from Dr. Warren Wilkes, Respiratory Health Educator Pat Steele and Wendy Bransfeld, Nurse Manager with the Horizon Health Network to discuss coping techniques and medical treatments available to those affected by IPF. We would like to thank Dr. Wilkes, Ms. Steele and Ms. Bransfeld for their participation in this initiative. Their helped make this event one of the most successful public forums in LANS history.

Annual Report 2014/2015

Leaders in Adovacy Spirometry Awareness LANS has long promoted spirometry information online and in print and in 2014-15 the organization began offering spirometry testing in conjunction with our major events in an effort to increase awareness of this test and facilitate discussions between patients and physicians when it comes to lung health. With the help of respiratory therapy students, LANS ran a spirometry test station at the Runway Run. To further this initiative, LANS has purchased two spirometry machines so this practice can continue at other events.

Learn to Run for Smokers has been a successful program for LANS that has garnered National attention for the organization and has seen spin off success in other provinces. LANS worked with the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan in an advisory role to help them launch this initiative in their respective provinces. In 2014-15 LANS again offered a Learn to Run for Smokers program in the lead up to the Annual Lung Run.

LANS is proud to offer kids suffering from asthma the chance to participate in a summer camp adventure that they could not normally experience. At Camp Treasure Chest children have access to trained personnel who can offer support and guidance on managing their asthma effectively while enjoying all the perks of a traditional summer camp. For 30 children, Camp Treasure Chest provides a worry free week of summer fun. LANS acknowledges the ongoing support of our partner Camp Brigadoon and the top notch facilities they provide. We would also like to thank Respirologist Dr. Wade Watson, Chair of our Medical Advisory Board, and Respiratory Therapist Scott Keeling for their time spent onsite with these campers to provide them with educational and medical services.

Annual Report 2014/2015

Leaders in Adovacy Equipment Exchange Program LANS continues to support those affected by sleep apnea through the Equipment Exchange Program which refurbishes previously owned Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) machines to assist individuals with sleep apnea by providing them free of cost to those who cannot afford them. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a serious breathing condition that interrupts the sleeping cycle. Individuals suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea experience pauses in breathing, which can last anywhere from 10-30 seconds, leading to sleep disruption and lack of oxygen. Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea are often not able to reach the optimal level of sleep required to stay healthy. This disruptive sleep cycle affects quality of life and can cause fatigue and reduced cognitive function. Through this program LANS refurbished and distributed 50 machines in 2014-15. LANS is looking to build on the success of this program and has initiated a partnership with the Lion’s Club of Nova Scotia to expand outside of HRM. This initiative will launch in 2015-16 and will increase awareness of the program with the intent of increasing donations. The Equipment Exchange Program is an important initiative for LANS and would not be possible without the continued support of Glen Bourque of Breathe ‘n’ Air Respiratory Services Inc. A dedicated volunteer, Glen contributes his time and expertise to this valuable program and LANS is incredibly thankful for his commitment.

The Lung Book has long been a viable revenue source for LANS. Recent years have seen an increase in competition for this as many community groups, websites, and golf courses themselves offer discounted rates as a way to attract customers. 2014 saw sales of 1,100 books, a drop in sales from the previous year. Sales have been trending down over the past couple of years and this initiative is now under review to ensure it is still an effective tool for fundraising. LANS continues to believe in this product and has established strong partnerships with golf courses in the region, however we believe that some tweaking is needed to reassess how the product is delivered.

Annual Report 2014/2015

Leaders in Fundraising LANS continues the tradition of marrying lung health and fundraising initiatives through the popular Lung Run and Runway Run 5km events. In addition to raising much needed funds for the organization, these events also promote a healthy lifestyle for participants, a key component of lung health.

The Credit Union Atlantic Lung Run The Eighth Annual Lung Run saw over 650 runners of all ages and skill levels take to the Halifax waterfront to participate in the flattest and fastest 5km event in Atlantic Canada. LANS continues to work with the Halifax Port Authority to ensure this event can be held in one of the most beautiful, iconic locations Halifax has to offer. This event would not be possible without the continued support of Credit Union Atlantic and we offer our sincere thanks to CEO Marie Mullally and her incredible team for their partnership in this run. We look forward to building on this strong foundation for many years to come.

The Runway Run The Runway Run is one of the most unique 5km running events in Atlantic Canada. Thanks to our partners at the Halifax International Airport Authority, this event offers participants the incredible opportunity to gain access to one of the most secure areas in Nova Scotia. 2014 saw over 600 runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes take to the runway for this exciting race. A special thank you to Tara Momborquette and the team at Halifax International Airport Authority and Gateway Facilities for continuing to allow us access to this exclusive venue. The success of this event would not be possible without the support they provide.

Direct Mail Direct mail continues to be an import source of fundraising for LANS and our initiatives. We are commitment to maximizing our resources in supporting direct mail and manage expenses through partnerships with other provinces on major campaigns to reduce costs. We have established a working partnership on direct mail with the Lung Association chapters in the four western provinces which not only aids in cost-effective delivery, but also provides an opportunity to share knowledge and best practices amongst the chapters. We have seen success with this approach and will continue to explore opportunities to become more efficient including the expansion of this partnership to include additional provinces. Annual Report 2014/2015

Leaders in Fundraising The Provincial Partnership Program The Provincial Partnership Program has provided LANS an opportunity to engage corporate sponsorship to support the programs and initiatives of the organization. Through this program, LANS held a Provincial Partners Breakfast to show corporations with mandates that align with the mission of LANS the opportunities for partnership going forward. As a result, LANS has established a solid working relationship with corporate partner GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and have used this successful model to approach other corporations of interest. We would like to recognize and thank Ms. Helene Pineau of GSK for her leadership in this initiative.

Leaders in Infrastructure Throughout the 2014-15 year, LANS undertook major renovations to the 6331 Lady Hammond Road facility to ensure the organization, and the other tenants of the property, had the necessary infrastructure in place to grow thriving, successful businesses. Through these renovations LANS was able to accommodate and attract a new tenant, Lady Hammond Animal Hospital, a veterinarian clinic which has relocated to Nova Scotia from British Columbia. With the stable long term leases of Lady Hammond Animal Hospital and our other tenants, Kinesic Sport Lab and White’s Accounting Services, LANS has grown 6331 Lady Hammond Road into a thriving entrepreneurial community and dynamic contributor to the provinces economy. These renovations and upgrades have increased the appraised value of the building to $1.7 million establishing it as one of our most valuable assets.

White’s Accounting Services

Annual Report 2014/2015

Fundraising & Allocation The Lung Association of Nova Scotia raises all of the funding needed to deliver on our goals and objectives. We value every donation we receive, no matter how small and pledge to maximize the value of each and every dollar that comes through our doors. We have taken a proactive approach to building partnerships and relationships in the community to leverage our resources even further. It is our responsibility to honour our donors by providing our services in a cost effective manner while achieving a balanced budget.

To learn more or to donate, please call: (888) 566-LUNG (5864) or visit www.ns.lung.ca Also find us on:

The Lung Association of Nova Scotia



@NSLung

Provincial Office - 200-6331 Lady Hammond Road, Halifax Annual Report 2014/2015