NEWS
Asthma and Allergy Foundation Appoints Michael Matheson MSP as their Ambassador
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation recently launched their AAF Ambassador Initiative to bring together influential individuals with lived experience of asthma to help champion their work and amplify the voices of Scotland’s 368,000 adults and children living with this often overlooked yet life-threatening and life-limiting condition.
In a significant new appointment, Michael Matheson MSP, former Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care, has been named as our newest Ambassador. This pivotal role will see him joining a dedicated team of fellow Ambassadors, including revered three-time Olympic swimmer Hannah Miley MBE, to champion the foundation’s life-saving work and drive its mission forward.
A Visionary Leader with a Personal Connection
Mr. Matheson, a lifelong advocate for efficient and reliable healthcare provision, brings a wealth of experience to the Foundation. His personal commitment aligns with The Foundation’s mission to improve health outcomes for the 368,000 adults and children across Scotland who battle asthma every day.
“Michael’s passion for the well-being of his constituents and his deep understanding of the challenges faced by those living with asthma make him a great Ambassador,” said Martina Chukwuma-Ezike, CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation. “His unwavering dedication to health improvement, combined with his personal connection to asthma, will undoubtedly strengthen our mission and help elevate the voices of those who need support the most.”
Empowering Communities and Driving Change
For nearly 15 years, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation has been on the frontlines, offering 1:1 and group asthma awareness and management workshop, advice line, practical support, and providing reliable health information on asthma to 15,986 thousand Scottish families, carers, and individuals affected by asthma and allergies annually, helping them to live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives. Mr. Matheson’s appointment comes at a crucial moment for the foundation as it expands its reach and enhances its services to improve the quality of life for asthma sufferers in every corner of the country.
“This appointment is not just an honour, it is a responsibility,” said Mr. Matheson. “I have seen first-hand the challenges parents face when their children struggle to breathe, and I am committed to ensuring that every family knows they have an ally in this battle. I am incredibly proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with the team at Asthma and Allergy Foundation and the many families they support daily as they continue providing vital support to ensure every adult and child living with asthma in Scotland can manage their symptoms better and improve overall quality of life.”
Voices of Support and Collaboration
Fellow AAF Ambassador Colin Black shared his enthusiasm about Mr Matheson’s appointment: “Having someone like Michael onboard, who knows the personal struggles of families affected by asthma, will be game-changing for the Foundation. His voice will amplify our collective efforts and bring more attention to the critical issues we tackle every day.”
Martina Chukwuma-Ezike further expressed her confidence in Michael’s appointed “We have already seen Michael’s compassionate leadership in action. With him now part of our ambassadorial team, we know we will reach even more communities and touch more lives with our life-saving work.” Together we will work to ensure that adults, young people and children living with asthma in Scotland are supported, so they can live full lives – just like everyone else.
For more information about the Asthma and Allergy Foundation’s life-saving programs and initiatives, or for sponsorship and partnership opportunities please visit www.asthmaandallergy.org.uk, email info@asthmaandallergy.org.uk or call 01224 973001.
About the Asthma and Allergy Foundation:
Asthma and allergy foundation, Scotland’s only dedicated asthma charity, providing evidence-based health information, confidential advice, and practical support to children, young people and adults with asthma, their families, carers, and friends across Scotland. They also provide targeted asthma training to schools, businesses and healthcare professionals both in person and through their E-Learning Training Courses.
Both adults and children can contact Asthma and Allergy Foundation for several reasons such as poor control of asthma impacting on their ability to work which equals poor living conditions and lack of heating leading to more asthma attacks and inability to retain a job. Our workshops help break this vicious cycle and help sufferers manage symptoms better, maintain their employment and have better life outcomes.
For children and young people, impact on school attendance & attainment; Embarrassment over using inhalers in front of others; Sadness over not being able to take part in normal activities; Frustration and anger at how asthma can be limiting (in terms of activities); The feeling of guilt about the effect their illness has on the rest of the family, as well as a very strong and real fear of dying – especially as asthma sufferers need to rely on someone else when they have a bad asthma attack, and worry their relatives, teachers, friends etc. will not know what to do. Our workshops, advice line, information leaflets and online resources help children and young people with asthma understand their condition better, the place of preventer medication in the management of their symptoms, how to minimise triggers, good inhaler technique helping them gain control. Training provided to parents and carers provide vital skills to enable them to provide the right care and support.
Our team and our service users are all headed towards the same goal – good asthma management to create a better quality of life, so we can prevent an early death (90% of asthma deaths are preventable).
