BLF Bulletin The latest news from the British Lung FoundationWinter 2018

More support for Northern Ireland Breathe Easy membersIt’s been a busy couple of months for the BLF in Northern Ireland and we’re pleased to have rounded off 2017 on such a positive note.

We have recruited four new Singing for Lung Health leaders

We’re particularly pleased that the new leaders come from four different health and social care trust areas – Western, Belfast, Southern and South Eastern. This will give us good geographical reach when the signing groups are set up. You can expect an update from us once their training is completed

We’re also thrilled to report that the BLF support network in Northern Ireland is growing! After several well-attended respiratory information events, two new Breathe Easy groups have been set up in Waterside and Newtownabbey as part of the Integrated Breathe Easy project.

Work is also underway to get a new pulmonary fibrosis support group set up in Belfast.

It’s so encouraging to see the support network for people living with lung disease in Northern Ireland growing.

So, a great 2017 and hopefully an even better 2018!

Big Breakfast

The Big Breakfast campaign was a big success thanks to you!

We’ve already raised over £11,000 from last year’s Big Breakfast campaign, with more to come in. This substantial amount enables us to increase our investment in research each year.

Up and down the country, our supporters organised sponsored brunches, breakfasts and buffets to help raise money for people living with lung conditions.

We want to say a big thank you to each and every one of you who took part. A special thanks goes to all the Breathe Easy groups that took part again last year – for some of you this was your fourth year running!

We are looking forward to hearing more stories and seeing plenty more photos of your delicious food this year!

Join our web community today

Does the cold weather leave you stuck at home and feeling rather lonely? This is not unusual when you are living with a lung condition. Our web community offers support, friendship and advice. This online forum is a place where you can chat with others about your lung condition, share experiences and ask questions. You can join at blf.org.uk/community or call the BLF Helpline on 03000 030 555 for more details.

Save the date!Breathe Easy week:

18-24 June 2018

Focus on… Breathe Easy Leeds East Tony has been the chair of Breathe Easy Leeds since 2006.

Our group is very active, with exercise classes each week provided by Pat Goodacre who, along with her husband Dave, has trained other members of the group so they can also run classes.

Having health care professionals speak at our Breathe Easy meetings is very important to us. One month we might have physiotherapists giving us a talk and the next, it could be the pulmonary rehabilitation team.

We also believe that we should have a working relationship with our representatives in parliament, so we have had our local MP, Richard Burgon, speak at a meeting.

When there isn’t a speaker, we will have a general chat and catch up. Keeping up to date with BLF news is part of this. I’ve also been able to be a part of the new Integrated Breathe Easy Project (IBE).

Working with the Leeds Clinical Commissioning groups and the BLF to get this new project established has been hard work, but very rewarding.

I’m now going along to the initial respiratory information event and tell people what we do and how Breathe Easy could help them. Eventually, there will be 11 new Breathe Easy groups in Leeds!

Being part of Breathe Easy means we are a group of people that look after one another – we will call members of the group to see how people are and if they need any help.

Breathe Easy groups help people find fulfilment in their lives so they don’t feel that they’re on their own. They also allow members to meet new and interesting people.

Pulmonary rehab makes a big difference, says Eric Eric, chair of Breathe Easy Portsmouth South, shares his story of being diagnosed with COPD and how pulmonary rehabilitation has helped him.

I woke up one morning in 2007 and made my way to the shower. I noticed my breathing wasn’t so good. It took a long time to shower and I had to sit down many times while dressing.

When I did get downstairs, my wife noticed how bad my breathing was and called the GP. They advised us to call an ambulance and I was sent to hospital with blue lights flashing.

I can’t recall anything until the following morning, when a doctor said that it was a miracle I survived the night.

I was told that I had emphysema, which meant nothing to me. I had no idea what COPD was until I was referred to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR).

I completed the seven weeks of PR and then went on to a maintenance exercise group to keep my fitness levels up.

I’d urge those with COPD to attend PR classes if they can, and complete the course. The exercise will help to keep you out of hospital and help with your breathing. That’ll make a big difference to your life.

Read more at blf.org.uk/blog

Our insurance partner Living with a lung condition can make finding insurance products a challenge. Our partner, Fish Insurance, specialises in providing insurance products for people who live with pre-existing medical conditions and disabilities. Fish Insurance offers a range of insurance policies that feature disability-specific benefits such as protection for vital mobility aids, medicines and carers. For every policy sold or renewed through the partnership, Fish Insurance makes a donation to the BLF to help support our work. To find out more, visit their website, http://www.fishinsurance.co.uk/BLF or call 0333 331 3848.

Get in touchBLF DirectPO Box 2022, Liverpool L69 3TU03003 030 253

Email: breathe.easy@blf.org.ukWebsite: blf.org.uk Helpline: 03000 030 555