A hard-hitting billboard campaign has been launched in Aberdeen, highlighting the devastating effects of asthma.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation, Scotland’s only dedicated asthma charity has set an ambitious goal of training 20,000 people across the country in the skills needed to save lives during the most severe attacks.
Last month, the charity chief executive Martina Chukwuma-Ezike – also Rector of Aberdeen University – said Scotland was facing a ‘public health catastrophe’ due to the condition. “We are facing a public health catastrophe for asthma sufferers in Scotland because of the rocketing poverty rates. In some school classrooms in our worst-hit areas, there are 50 per cent asthma rates among the children.”
The new campaign features a girl in the poster asking ‘could you save my life?’ which will be displayed throughout Scotland.
Charity bosses say that it is estimated around 90 per cent of asthma deaths are preventable – with around 113 people dying as a result of the condition in Scotland in 2020 alone.
Few have the skills to help people in a life-threatening asthma attack – as CPR would be likely to make the situation worse or even kill the person. Asthma and Allergy Foundation is now calling for more people to be educated in the skills needed – and aim to train some 20,000 people.
Every 10 seconds someone in the UK is having an asthma attack and every 20 minutes a child is admitted to hospital with life-threatening asthma attack. Whether someone having an asthma attack lives or dies depends on the person standing next to them at the time and their ability to administer life-saving treatment.
That is why we have set a target of training 20,000 people – teachers (pupils/classmates), work colleagues, healthcare professionals and parents/carers by the end of 2023. We would also continue to provide asthma management workshops so those living with the condition can learn to self-manage their symptoms and improve quality of life.
The first phase of our advertising campaign was launched in Aberdeen this week. The girl in the poster asks ‘Could You Save My Life?’. Wouldn’t it be incredible if all of us could become asthma advocates and answer ‘yes’ to that question?
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation is offering everyone the opportunity to potentially save a life.
The charity is seeking sponsorships to deliver life-saving workshops to teachers as part of its efforts to support school children with asthma. It costs around £300 to deliver a school session. A donation of £1,200 would enable the charity to deliver 4 sessions reaching potentially around 443 children, teachers, and parents.
All sponsorship enquiries should be directed to Ewan at 01224 973001 or email info@asthmaandallergy.org.uk