In 1903 during the holiday season, a postman named Einar Holboell was working late on the outskirts of Copenhagen when he noticed a ragged little girl and boy walking by. It broke his heart and gave him an idea. Just suppose that every letter or parcel carried an extra stamp and the money from the tens of thousands of stamps went to help children with tuberculosis and in need.
In 1904 the seals went on sale, the campaign was a success, and so began Alberta Lung, and its Holiday Seals campaign. With funds from the first two Seal campaigns, the national groups started building two hospitals for treatment of tuberculosis, this went on to include x-ray units and other supports. .
Holiday Seals are still as relevant today as they were in 1903. Donations are now used to fund research, prevention, and support for the 1 in 5 Canadians and Albertans suffering with lung disease.
The holiday seals featured this year are exceptionally captivating and vibrant! We take great pleasure in showcasing artwork created right here in Alberta, in collaboration with Chrysalis, an esteemed organization dedicated to supporting citizens with disabilities.
Our partnership is rooted in a mutual dedication to promoting diversity, fostering inclusivity, and combating the stigma of disabilities through educational initiatives. This launch party is celebrating our 84th year of fundraising to support lung disease patients and their families in Alberta. At Alberta Lung, we recognize the shared struggles faced by individuals with lung disease, which is why we are passionate about joining forces with Chrysalis and why we are holding this important event at their facility.
To us at Alberta Lung, this collaboration with Chrysalis is incredibly powerful, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the talented artists involved: Amber Koehler, Alfredo Daestrala, Glenda Tarapaski, Ian Cho, Adeel Sadiq, Phuong Huynh, An Nguyen, Brandi Gaynor, Lorraine Balagtas, Wayne Kelly, and Steven Brausse.
About Chrysalis
Chrysalis Society offers personalized services designed to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities while providing meaningful opportunities for growth and community inclusion. Disability is a natural part of the human experience, with almost everyone encountering temporary or permanent disabilities at some point in their lives. Conditions such as cystic fibrosis, COPD, asthma, Down syndrome, and various other challenges – visible or not- can significantly impact an individuals quality of life.
With services in Edmonton and Calgary, Chrysalis uses Human Centered Design as a service delivery model to create opportunities for people by designing programs and services based on individual needs and goals.