Lung Walk is in 8 DAYS!

I can't believe how quickly the summer has flown by!!!!

It seems like I just signed up to do the American Lung Association's Lung Walk, and now it's 8 days away. Crazy.

Just two weeks ago, we were at the top of the list for raising donations! Now we have been bumped down to number 13. Yikes. Kate's Peak Flow Patrol is smokin' at over $3000.00! WOW!!!!

I am a little disappointed in the lack of community responce to my money raising efforts. In May I sent out 20 letters to local businesses asking for donations. Now, some may say that sending out a letter isn't enough. Even if it was a great letter. I even included a self-addressed stamp envelope. Even may stamps were awesome. Alas, only two businesses responded . . . Northern Clearing and Northern State Bank. Thank you so much (don't worry I sent out thank you letters).

So last week, I sent out 18 more letters. Still nothing!

My son Ashton and I were on television in August for the ALA. We were asked by Milwaukee's TMJ-4 news stations, The Morning Blend to be on the show to discuss the effects of raising two children with asthma. We were on the show with the ALA's Respiratory Coordinator. It was a great experience. My husband emailed the local newspaper about it, their responce . . . nothing. Apparently a local family being on television raising money for the ALA is not news.

We had an ALA Yard Sale, that went well. My 6 yr old sold Lung Bracelets at his dad's baseball games and that raised a little money. We have can's at gas stations and banks, that has brought in a little. But, we still haven't reached our goal. I don't know if we will.

(Ashton having a treatment in early Aug, he was on pred for wheezing)

I had huge hopes for this. I think I may have to start earlier next year. I am new to fundraising, and apparently have a lot to learn. Hopefully next year we can increase our goal, and surpass it. We are still excited about the Walk, we are sad that Jesse can't be with us (he's been called to be away). I am excited for my kids to be around other kids who are experiencing medical situations similar to ours. I am excited to meet other families like ours.

Asthma is tough, and it's unpredictable. What poses as a trigger today, may not react the same way next time. My boys are on meds that lower their immune system, making them more susceptible to infections. It makes them catch viruses that your kids may not catch. We carry an asthma bag where ever we go (sometimes I forget diapers and wipes, but not the asthma bag). It contains: TJ's intal he takes every 4 hours, his proair inhaler, Ashton's Xopenex inhaler, Ashton's peak flow, TJ's aerochamber, a baggie of Benadryl pills, two actions plans, a list of meds each child is on, number for the specialist and reg dr., and our insurance card. My children also have allergies, that may make their asthma worse. My oldest is allergic to grass, mold, cats and dogs. These are all potential triggers. Whenever I take my youngest to an indoor waterpark, his asthma flares. He gets pneumonia in the summer, spends weeks on prednisone. He takes a nebulizer twice a day for one of his daily meds.

This is why I support the American Lung Association. There is no cure for asthma. But, we can learn as much as possible about lung disease and it's effects and find ways to treat it. Ways to increase my boys chance at a normal childhood. Thanks to Advair 250/50 my 6 yr old was able to play soccer.

I have learned a great deal from the ALA and am happy to support its efforts to promote lung health, education, and research. Asthma isn't always obvious; you can’t see asthma but you can count its devastating effects in the United States. Asthma is responsible for over 12 million lost school days in children and more than 14 million lost workdays for adults. Even more frightening is the fact that asthma can be fatal; nearly 4,000 deaths are attributed to asthma annually. The economic cost of asthma is staggering - over $16.1 billion dollars is spent annually. We need your help to make an impact in the fight against asthma. Join an Asthma Walk near you today.

Here is our page, check it out.http://www.mrsnv.com/evt/e01/team.jsp?id=2028&tid=303