Robyn Malcolm talks about family asthma experience

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Asthma and Respiratory Foundation
Media Statement
For immediate release (Please note a photo accompanies this statement)

9 May, 2008

Robyn Malcolm talks about her family asthma experience

Outrageous Fortune star Robyn Malcolm is giving her support to asthma awareness.

Robyn is backing the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation’s Balloon Day campaign. Tomorrow is Balloon Day and interesting, fun events are being held at participating Mitre 10 stores and in communities throughout New Zealand.

One in four Kiwi kids has asthma and Balloon Day aims to increase awareness and raise funds to support research that benefits children with asthma.

Robyn doesn’t have the condition herself, but was brought up with two younger sisters with asthma.

“I remember us doing tummy balloons in sympathy with one of my sisters when we were younger…you know, diaphragmatic breathing. So I’m well aware of how bad asthma can be, what a huge problem it still is. One of my sisters had asthma chronically from very young and she’s learnt to manage it well. A huge proportion of New Zealanders have to deal with and manage asthma in their lives and if the skills aren’t there to manage it, asthma can become dangerous pretty quickly. Awareness is everything.”

“Balloon Day’s great because it encourages the community to take care of itself and deal with asthma through conversation, discussion and awareness.

“Just to give you a couple of examples, we could all focus on dryer, warmer homes for one thing, and this is something to think about as we go into winter. So many of us live in cold, damp houses.

“Another thing, people should be aware of those sudden freak asthma attacks. It’s terribly important to have the first aid knowledge to know what to do if someone with asthma has a really bad attack.”

For more information about dealing with an asthma attack people can visit www.asthmafoundation.org.nz/asthma/manage your asthma/emergencies.

If you or someone with you has asthma attack and it’s severe or the person having the attack is frightened, ring 111 immediately.

ENDS

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