Note: World Lung Foundation united with The Union North America. From January 2016, the combined organization is known as “Vital Strategies.”
(New York, New York) – World Lung Foundation today announced that its 20-member running team raised $30,550 to provide life-saving asthma treatment to more than 1,700 children in Kenya. The money, which was raised during the annual New York City Half-Marathon, will fund a grant to the Kenyan Association for Prevention of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (KAPTLD).
One hundred percent of the money raised by the runners will directly fund comprehensive asthma treatment in Kenya, including diagnosis, medicine, inhalers, case management, staff training, as well as a public education program. WLF also received generous financial support from Signature Bank.
This is WLF's fourth year sponsoring a team for the NYC Half-Marathon. To date, more than $125,000 has been raised for KAPTLD's child asthma efforts.
“Asthma is a chronic lung disease which can be impoverishing for the family and can lead to disturbing emotional as well as physical problems,” said Dr. Jeremiah Chakaya, Executive Secretary of the Kenyan Association for Prevention of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease. “WLF has been very helpful to us, and we are very thankful to the individuals who have run in the New York City Half-Marathon to raise money for asthma care.”
“I am honored to have run with such a committed and enthusiastic team for the fourth year in a row,” said Peter Baldini, Chief Executive Officer, World Lung Foundation. “Everyone, from the runners to the volunteers and supporters, has dedicated his or her Half-Marathon experience to the millions of children who suffer from one of the world's most neglected, and most treatable, lung diseases.”
It is estimated that ten percent of children in Kenya between the ages of 10 and 14 have asthma, 60 percent of whom suffer from persistent asthma. According to the World Health Organization, asthma is the most common chronic disease among children. Undiagnosed and under-treated, most asthma-related deaths occur in low- and lower-middle income countries.