WOMEN AND LUNG HEALTH CONFERENCE AND LUNCHEON NEEDS STATEMENT

The statistics on women and lung disease are alarming.  Out of the one million people in metropolitan Chicago who suffer from lung disease, more than half are women and girls.  More women die of lung cancer than breast, ovarian and cervical cancer combined.  Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (i.e. chronic bronchitis, emphysema) is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, and for the first time the number of women dying from the disease has surpassed the male death rate.   In addition, women suffer from asthma at higher rates than men and in 2000, approximately 65% of asthma deaths occurred in women.   

There are no cures for these three diseases, only treatments.  Unfortunately, the discovery of improved treatments has been slow.  The National Institutes of Health and private funding sources currently invest far fewer research dollars in these diseases than other diseases with much lower prevalence rates.

In the early 1980s, AIDS and breast cancer were two diseases with high social stigmas and low survival rates. Public awareness campaigns, education and major investments in research reduced the stigma associated with these diseases and improved the treatment options to increase the number of people surviving these diseases. 

Like AIDS and breast cancer, individuals diagnosed with lung cancer and COPD experience social stigma and low survival rates.  Asthma, once thought of as a "simple" hypersensitive reaction, is now known to be a complex condition with a range of causes and contributing factors.  The American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago is committed to reversing the disturbing trend of lung cancer, COPD and asthma.  Toward that goal, the American Lung Association is holding its first annual Women and Lung Health Conference featuring Dr. James Kiley, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, experts and celebrities touched by lung disease. 

LOGISTICS
The Women and Lung Health Conference will be held on Wednesday, November 10, 2004 at the Chicago Marriott Hotel Downtown located at 540 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. The Conference will attract 400-500 health care representatives, patients, concerned individuals, and media. A VIP Celebration will be held the evening of Tuesday, November 9 for speakers, sponsors, and Association partners.  A total of 12 one-hour sessions will be offered over the day. Below is a schedule-at-a-glance.   
 
  8:00am - 4:00 pm  Registration and Exhibits
  9:00am - 10:00am   Four Concurrent Education Sessions
10:00am - 10:15am   Coffee Break and Exhibits
10:15am - 11:15am  Four Concurrent Education Sessions
11:15am - 11:30am  Coffee Break and Exhibits
11:30am - 1:30pm  Lunch, Speakers, Awards & Silent Auction
  1:30pm - 2:00pm   Exhibits
  2:00pm - 3:00pm  Four Concurrent Education Sessions
  3:00pm - 4:00pm  Exhibits

ALLOCATION OF PROCEEDS
50% of the revenues raised from the Women and Lung Health Conference and Luncheon (after payment of all event expenses) will be used to support lung health research programs in metropolitan Chicago.  The remaining 50% of the proceeds will support local lung health advocacy and education programs.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Contact Kara Albisu, Development Director, by phone at (312) 628-0223, or via e-mail at [email protected].