Balloon Day 2008 launch

Asthma and Respiratory Foundation

20 March, 2008

Balloon Day 2008 launch: enjoy the gorgeous glow and spare a thought for kids with asthma

“Beautiful, multi-coloured hot air balloons aglow at dusk, looking glorious. This Sunday’s night glow on Oriental Beach should be something else,” says Asthma and Respiratory Foundation Executive Director, Jane Patterson.

The Foundation will be promoting awareness of asthma at the event and raising funds to support child asthma research. The event work launches Balloon Day, the Foundation’s asthma awareness and fundraising campaign.

“On Sunday evening, a number of hot air balloons will fire up their burners and the glow should be visible for miles,” Jane says.

“We hope everyone will have a great time and we ask that people, while they are out there enjoying themselves, spare a thought for New Zealanders who live with asthma. Our Balloon Day campaign is starting now. We’re working to raise awareness of how asthma affects New Zealanders. One in four of our kids have it, asthma is the most common reason for hospital admissions among our children and asthma costs New Zealand taxpayers over a billion dollars each year.” Jane says.

“We’ve got the second highest rate of asthma in the world, after the UK, and we need to do more to diagnose and treat asthma better and provide a voice and better services for New Zealanders with asthma.”

“Our special hot air balloon, Puff, is here today, for people to have a look at and to raise awareness of the very important issue of asthma.”

If people cannot make it to the fiesta and want to support the Foundation’s Balloon day campaign they can text BREATHE to 3979 to donate $3 or phone 0900 4 ASTHMA (0900 278462) to donate $20.

ENDS

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