|
Saltus students raise funds for Open Airways5/21/2010
Saltus students raise funds for Open Airways to “Help Bermuda Breathe”
Upper and Lower Primary students had a Grub Day in support of Open Airways at the end of April. Liz Boden is seen with Upper Primary students and the presentation cheque for $1,136.30. Ms. Boden explained that “Open Airways is a small charity dedicated to improving the lives and well-being of over 9,000 people in Bermuda, whose lives are affected by asthma and other long-term breathing difficulties.” The Saltus Wind Band performed at their “Hour of Air” event in Par-la-Ville Park on April 27th. At an Upper Primary assembly, students tried breathing only through a straw for the length of a song played by Mrs. Fox to experience what it is like for those with breathing difficulties; while Lower Primary students had fun blowing bubbles and engaged in other activities.
Liz Boden of Open Airways reports that “This is the first time we have ever asked the community to help us raise funds. Like many other charities fundraising is particularly challenging during these challenging economic times. Funds raised will be used to help us continue all of our educational programmes. We aim to Help Bermuda Breathe. Open Airways funds are used to educate health care professionals, the community, the individual and their families. We also we run the island-wide school asthma education programme, and provide free equipment to everyone to ensure effective control of asthma symptoms. We lead the world in having reduced asthma hospital admissions by 82% since our work began. Do look at our website to see more about our work www.openairways.com.”
For the Saltus perspective, School Nurse, Mrs. Lindsay Manderson, reports: “in total we have 352 asthmatics at Saltus and Primary students get a free pillow annually and free spacer device when needed. Open Airways also give an annual assembly on asthma for students. Last year Open Airways sent the Berkeley Institute nurse and myself to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston for a course in exercise induced asthma.”
Open Airways gives an annual prize for excellence in asthma care and last year gave it to Lindsay Manderson. According to Liz Boden, “Lindsay recorded days missed from school due to asthma and everyone was shocked to see some children missed as many as 21 days for asthma in one school year. Following asthma education with the child, their family and the teachers, days off school have been reduced to only one or two a year!”
|
