Asthma, Life-Threatening Allergies Are NOT For "Do-It-Yourselfers"!

WASHINGTON, May 2, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Twelve people in the United States die each day from asthma or anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction. On Thursday, May 9, 2013, at the 16^th annual Allergy & Asthma Day Capitol Hill (AADCH), Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) will urge Congress to support proven, patient-centered care and ensure healthcare decisions are made by patients and medical care providers.

"Asthma and life-threatening allergies are chronic conditions that require accurate diagnosis, monitoring, and patient education. There are no shortcuts and it can't be done over-the-counter or in a kiosk," says Nancy Sander, president and founder of AANMA. "We have evidence-based treatment guidelines proven to save lives and money. Patients and families deserve nothing less."

AANMA is the leading voice and patient advocate for more than 50 million Americans with allergies and 25 million with asthma.

Allergy & Asthma Day Capitol Hill – May 9, 2013

Congressional Press Breakfast Briefing
9:00 – 10:00 a.m., Rayburn House Office Building, Room B338 (ground level)

Speakers include:

James Kiley, Ph.D., National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute, on the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program
James Valentine, Food & Drug Administration, on FDA's Patient Network
Laura Ledford, from Brandenburg, KY, mother of a 9-year-old boy who died from asthma
Apolo Anton Ohno, short-track speed skater, on exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB)
Richard Weber, MD, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, on the Nationwide Asthma Screening Program

Allergy & Asthma Health Fair
10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Rayburn Foyer (1^st floor)

• Free asthma, allergy and exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) screenings
• One-on-one consultations with an allergist
• Anaphylaxis preparedness demonstrations
• Special "Bike Buddy" gift packs for kids with life-threatening allergies
• Spirometry tests to measure lung function
• EIB All Stars raffle
• Hands-on, interactive displays

AADCH Sponsors

American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
Boston Scientific
Genentech
Mylan Specialty LP
sanofi
Sunovion
TEVA Respiratory
Thermo Fisher Scientific

About AANMA
Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) is the leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending needless death and suffering due to asthma, allergies and related conditions. AANMA specializes in sharing family-friendly, medically accurate information through its award-winning publications Allergy & Asthma Today magazine and The MA Report newsletter and numerous community outreach programs. www.aanma.org

Contact: Tonya Winders 
[email protected] 
615-300-2569

SOURCE Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics