What's New with AAFA

Dear Friends, One of the hardest things we do at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America is have conversations with families who have lost loved ones to asthma. Our hearts break for them. We grieve along with them. After hearing these stories, we are determined to do even more for people with asthma and allergies. We understand that an asthma or allergy diagnosis can be a life-changing event. For those affected, we stand together, prepared not only to listen and to empathize, but also...

These are just a few things we were able to do this year for the asthma and allergy community because of you. But there is more for us to do to significantly reduce the burden of these diseases on people with asthma and allergies. And we can with your help.

Asthma can be scary and overwhelming. It is the leading chronic disease in children and the top reason for missed school days due to chronic illness. I’m sure if you’ve been touched by this disease, you might empathize with this experience from LaJoy and her daughter, Abria.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has released a new tool for the asthma community – an asthma health chatbot. The chatbot is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help people get answers to their questions about asthma or health insurance. This can be a valuable tool for people shopping for health insurance during the final 10 days left in the federal open enrollment period.

Welcome to your November advocacy update. I’m Jenna Riemenschneider, Director of Advocacy at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).

Representatives Eliot L. Engel (D-NY-16), Fred Upton (R-MI-06), Pete King (R-NY-02) and TJ Cox (D-CA-21), all members of the House Asthma and Allergy Caucus, have introduced legislation to honor Elijah E. Cummings’ long-time advocacy for those living with asthma. The Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act would expand federal, state, and local efforts to improve care for individuals with asthma.

Are metered dose inhalers (MDIs) contributing to climate change? British researchers estimated the impact of gases used in MDIs on air pollution. They suggest if people switched to dry powder inhalers (DPIs), it could reduce the impact on our planet. What does this mean for people with asthma?

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has created a series of videos for teens with asthma who will be starting college or are in their first year. Each animated video is short and easy to understand.

Welcome to our first monthly advocacy update. My name is Jenna Riemenschneider, Director of Advocacy at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). I'm pictured above with Mark Vieth, Senior Vice President at Cavarocchi Ruscio Dennis Associates, at a meeting with Airlines for America. Through this monthly blog series, I will update you on our advocacy efforts. We have already had a busy fall. This first post will include our September and October activity.

The team at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) recently got our flu shots. Have you gotten yours?

Asthma and allergies impact one in five children in the United States. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) exhibited at the 2019 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) conference to learn the latest news in pediatrics and to talk to health care providers about the programs and services we offer.

Lexi Larabee, who has severe asthma, had bronchial thermoplasty one year ago and shared her experience with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). Below, Lexi tells us what her life has been like after the procedure.