Without your assistance, we would not have been able to help Jamie. Jamie is a senior high school student, who has been vaping (using e-cigarettes) for the last 6 years. Until recently, he would have said that it hadn’t had an impact on his health or life.
But last year everything changed.
March began with what seemed like a spring cold – chills, runny nose, and fever kept him home from school. Things worsened with a severe migraine and jaw pain, making over-the-counter pain medicine his constant companion. After watching him endure three weeks of ongoing suffering, his older brother finally urged him to visit the ER. The pain had grown so intense, he even quit vaping.
The Physician explained that Jamie had a severe throat infection caused by vaping, it was so severe that the swelling had reached his brain. Jamie was told that if he hadn’t come in that day, there could have been serious repercussions, and long term health implications, only time will tell what effect long term vaping will have on his lungs.
And this is where help form donors like you, makes a real difference.
Jamie lives with his brother, and works part time to help support the two of them and supplement his brother’s full time income. But, times are tough, and Jamie couldn’t afford the medication that he needed. Thanks to your generous contributions, we were able to provide interim funding so Jamie could get the medication he needed.
A little bit of extra support was all they needed to get through this crisis.
But Jamie’s story doesn’t end there. Once he got back to school, he began campaigning for better education and awareness about vaping. He also had his teacher reach out to Alberta Lung about scheduling a Breathe Smart education session for his school.
Again, this is where donors like you have helped by funding this province-wide program that talks about the dangers of commercial tobacco and e-cigarettes to junior and senior high school students. This program not only provides information about potential lung damage, it also offers students a first-hand look at the harmful effects of commercial tobacco on lungs.
Alberta Lung loves being able to visit the most important part of our future, our youth. These students will be our future law makers, visionaries, business leaders and so much more!
A better, more informed future is not possible without your support. More funding is needed particularly as we prepare for the return of school in the fall.
For over 85 years, Alberta Lung has continued its commitment to provide access to prevention, awareness, education and support to prevent lung disease in Alberta!
But, it cannot happen without YOU!
Thank you for letting me share this story with you and demonstrating our commitment to helping families keep their children alive and healthy. I hope we can count on your continued support.