Granite State Stuff : Breathe New Hampshire

Vote for Your Favorite Design– It Could Wind Up on a T-Shirt

AskLisa — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 21:12:00 GMT

For the second time in as many years, Breathe New Hampshire has teamed with Manchester Community College’s Commercial Design and Illustration Program for a contest involving students’ designs. One student’s work will be featured on the event t-shirts for the statewide non-profit’s Annual Seacoast Bike Tour on May 17 and 18. The winning design will be determined by online voting at the respiratory health organization’s website between Friday, April 25, 2008 and noon on Tuesday, April 29. The website is www.breathenh.org.

As a class assignment, Instructor Ellen Wolper tasked the students in her Computer Illustration class with developing a graphic to be used on the event t-shirts earlier in the semester. The students enthusiastically embraced the assignment, which was left almost entirely to their creativity. The only instruction was to use Breathe New Hampshire’s logo and to develop a two color design that represented a bike tour.

Of the 15 designs submitted, three were selected as finalists and are currently featured online. Those designs belong to students, Brian Champagne, Angela Gianni, and Debra Good. “We would like to have as many people as possible vote,” said Beth D’Ovidio, Breathe New Hampshire’s Director of PR and Communications. “We are really pleased to be able to work collaboratively this way with the school. This offers the students the ability to get some practical experience with their designs. It is a win-win situation. We get a fabulous design for our event t-shirts, and the students are able to include a design that has been printed in their portfolio. The young lady whose design was selected last year actually received some job offers through the online exposure.”

“We were surprised by the huge response when we did this last year. There were hundreds of votes within a few hours of the posting,” according to Kelly Sicard, Dir. of Special Events and Volunteer Services for the non-profit. If you would like to weigh in on what design is selected, visit www.breathenh.org and vote.

The 23^rd Annual Seacoast Bike Tour is open to cyclists of all abilities and features both one and two day routes. Routes range from 25 to 100 miles in length. All routes begin in Portsmouth and extend to Ogunquit, Maine. The tour is a fully supported event with rest stops, Ham Radio Operators, Medics, Massage therapists, Bike mechanics and Finish line festivities with food and live musical entertainment. For more information or to make a contribution to a rider, contact Breathe New Hampshire at 800-835-8647 or visit www.breathenh.org.

The Seacoast Bike Tour receives support from Public Service of New Hampshire, Merrill Lynch and WXRV 92.5 The River.

What You Haven’t Heard About Global Warming Will Hurt You

AskLisa — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:12:00 GMT

Bedford, NH, World Health Day, April 7, 2008 - Mark R. Windt, MD, an allergy and respiratory physician from NH’s Seacoast, was one of two American physicians to participate in the first ever international workshop and discussion regarding the public health impact of global warming in Leuven, Belgium in Mid-March.

The workshop, The Potential Impacts of Climate Variability and Change on Respiratory Disease, brought together representatives from the American Thoracic Society (ATS), its European counterpart, the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the Health and Environment Network (HENVINET) to broaden the discussion of environmental changes from relating only to environmental impact to the inevitable public health consequences that will also follow.

“This gathering was groundbreaking in terms of looking closely at the health effects, as opposed to just the ecological effects of global climate change,” said Windt. “We know the changes we have already seen have led to increased incidence of asthma, allergies, rhinitis, and many other conditions.” Windt serves on the Environmental Health Policy Committee of the ATS. This committee advises the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He was one of four representatives of the ATS present at the discussions.

In his closing remarks at the two-day meeting, Dr. Roberto Bertolini, a Vice President of the Public Health Division of the World Health Organization (WHO), made an impassioned plea for physicians around the world to spearhead efforts to contain and begin to reverse the climate changes that have been driven by human activity. “It is time for doctors to deal with this (global climate change) on a medical basis,” said Windt. “We need to take this from research models to the patient’s bedside to actively make a difference.”

Windt is also a longtime member of the Board of Directors of Breathe New Hampshire. Breathe New Hampshire has been serving the state in matters of lung health since 1916. It is the state’s leading organization in all matters related to respiratory health.

“I’m pleased that Breathe New Hampshire is including environmental issues in its focus and is collaborating with other organizations in this field. We all need to do all that we can to keep the air we breathe as healthy as possible, both inside and outside, to make a difference for our children and future generations,” said Windt.

The ExR Truck is Coming to Town

AskLisa — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 20:52:00 GMT

The Ex® Truck is Coming to Town
National Quit Smoking Campaign Brings 1,000 Cups of Free Coffee to Smokers

The campaign, called EX®, aims to change the way smokers think about the difficult process of quitting, and to guide them to valuable free resources to build a successful quit attempt. NH is one of the fourteen states across the nation that has already signed onto the campaign. The rollout of quit smoking TV, radio, and print ads will continue on the national and state level over the next six months.

This is the first time a comprehensive campaign has addressed the behavioral aspects of tobacco use. The premise is to break the triggers that prompt smoking, for instance, many smokers light up whenever they have a cup of coffee. The EX® truck calls attention to that trigger by providing coffee and information about quitting simultaneously.

When:
Friday, April 4, 2008 in Manchester from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Monday, April 7, 2008 in Concord from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Where:
Friday, April 4, 2008 - Manchester stops as follows:

1. City Hall – One City Hall Plaza (corner of Elm and Hanover Sts.)
2. Makin’ It Happen Coalition – 27 Lowell Street & Elm Street
3. Shopping Plazas – “Sports Authority” 1051 So. Willow St.
4. Manchester Technical Institute – 1066 Front St.
5. Mall of NH – 1500 So. Willow St.

Monday, April 7, 2008 – Concord stops as follows:
1. Walmart – 344 Loudon Rd.
2. Home Depot – 42 D’Amante Dr.
3. Statehouse – 107 No. Main St.
4. Concord Technical Institute – 31 College Dr.
5. Riverbend – 3 North State Street

Who: Ex Campaign workers, former smokers, NH Public Health Officials will be available for interviews. Representatives from Breathe New Hampshire and the NH Tobacco Prevention and Control Program. The Mayors of Concord and Manchester and Governor John Lynch are invited to stop by.

PLEASE NOTE: This will be a fluid event. The stops are identified but will be visited as time allows and not on any particular schedule, so please contact Beth D’Ovidio on her cell (491- 2466) to locate the EX® Truck and arrange for interviews. Should be great visuals! Photo of Truck Attached.

Update:

The Ex® Truck is Stalled in NYC! Manchester Visit Date Changed Due to National Media Coverage.

National Quit Smoking Campaign Brings 1,000 Cups of Free Coffee to Smokers

What: The EX® Truck, part of the launch of a national smoking cessation campaign launched earlier this week, will be making up to five stops in each of the cities of Manchester and Concord. Campaign workers will be distributing up to 1,000 free cups of coffee to smokers throughout the daily stops. Representatives from the NH Tobacco Prevention and Control Program and Breathe New Hampshire will be distributing self-help materials and discount coupons and samples of nicotine replacement products (gum and patches) from GlaxoSmithKline. PLEASE NOTE: Due to national media attention anticipated on Saturday, April 5, 2008 and crowds attracted by the EX® Truck in Times Square, the tour schedule has been changed. The EX® Truck will be in Concord on Monday, as planned, but will now be making Manchester stops on Tuesday, April 8, 2008.

The campaign, called EX®, aims to change the way smokers think about the difficult process of quitting, and to guide them to valuable free resources to build a successful quit attempt. NH is one of the fourteen states across the nation that has already signed onto the campaign. The rollout of quit smoking TV, radio, and print ads will continue on the national and state level over the next six months.

This is the first time a comprehensive campaign has addressed the behavioral aspects of tobacco use. The premise is to break the triggers that prompt smoking, for instance, many smokers light up whenever they have a cup of coffee. The EX® truck calls attention to that trigger by providing coffee and information about quitting simultaneously.

When: Friday, April 4, 2008 in Manchester from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Monday, April 7, 2008 in Concord from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Where: Monday, April 7, 2008 – Concord stops as follows:

1. Walmart – 344 Loudon Rd.

2. Home Depot – 42 D’Amante Dr.

3. Statehouse – 107 No. Main St.

4. Concord Technical Institute – 31 College Dr.

5. 3 North State Street

Tuesday, April 8, 2008 - Manchester stops as follows:

1. City Hall – One City Hall Plaza (corner of Elm and Hanover Sts.)

2. Makin’ It Happen Coalition – 27 Lowell Street & Elm Street

3. Shopping Plazas – “Sports Authority” 1051 So. Willow St.

4. Manchester Technical Institute – 1066 Front St.

5. Mall of NH – 1500 So. Willow St.

Who: Ex Campaign workers, former smokers, NH Public Health Officials will be available for interviews. Representatives from Breathe New Hampshire and the NH Tobacco Prevention and Control Program. The Mayors of Concord and Manchester and Governor John Lynch are invited to stop by.

This will be a fluid event. The stops are identified but will be visited as time allows and not on any particular schedule, so please contact Beth D’Ovidio on her cell (491- 2466) to locate the EX® Truck and arrange for interviews. Should be great visuals! Photo of Truck Attached.

Update:
The Ex® Truck is Stalled in NYC! Manchester Visit Date Changed Due to National Media Coverage.
National Quit Smoking Campaign Brings 1,000 Cups of Free Coffee to Smokers

What: The EX® Truck, part of the launch of a national smoking cessation campaign launched earlier this week, will be making up to five stops in each of the cities of Manchester and Concord. Campaign workers will be distributing up to 1,000 free cups of coffee to smokers throughout the daily stops. Representatives from the NH Tobacco Prevention and Control Program and Breathe New Hampshire will be distributing self-help materials and discount coupons and samples of nicotine replacement products (gum and patches) from GlaxoSmithKline. PLEASE NOTE: Due to national media attention anticipated on Saturday, April 5, 2008 and crowds attracted by the EX® Truck in Times Square, the tour schedule has been changed. The EX® Truck will be in Concord on Monday, as planned, but will now be making Manchester stops on Tuesday, April 8, 2008.

When: Friday, April 4, 2008 in Manchester from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Monday, April 7, 2008 in Concord from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Where: Monday, April 7, 2008 – Concord stops as follows:

1. Walmart – 344 Loudon Rd.
2. Home Depot – 42 D’Amante Dr.
3. Statehouse – 107 No. Main St.
4. Concord Technical Institute – 31 College Dr.
5. 3 North State Street

Tuesday, April 8, 2008 - Manchester stops as follows:

This will be a fluid event. The stops are identified but will be visited as time allows and not on any particular schedule, so please contact Beth D’Ovidio on her cell (491- 2466) to locate the EX® Truck and arrange for interviews. Should be great visuals! Photo of Truck Attached.

New Hampshire joins National Public Campaign

AskLisa — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 01:13:00 GMT

NH DHHS and Public Health Partners Show Smokers How To Become An Ex®

Bedford, NH – Yesterday, an unprecedented new public health campaign created by an alliance of national organizations and state health agencies, including the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, was launched in Washington, DC.

The campaign, called EX®, aims to change the way smokers think about the difficult process of quitting, and to guide them to valuable free resources to build a successful quit attempt. Not since 1968-1970 have so many public health organizations aligned to get a smoking cessation message to the public at large.

Former US Surgeon General and New Hampshire resident, C. Everett Koop is a supporter of the campaign and had a speaking role in the Washington, D.C. campaign roll out. “Today we muster the will to act…by bringing messages to smokers and showing them how to break down the glue that holds each cigarette to its trigger,” Koop said.

This new public education effort will encourage smokers to approach quitting smoking as “re-learning life without cigarettes.” EX® provides smokers with information that can help them prepare for a quit attempt by 1) “Re-learning” their thinking on the behavioral aspects of smoking and how different smoking triggers can be overcome with practice and preparation;

2) “Re-learning” their knowledge of addiction and how medications can increase their chances for quitting success; and 3) “Re-learning” their ideas of how support from friends and family members can play a critical role in quitting.

“We are very pleased to be one of the first states that have signed onto this campaign for many reasons, most notably this campaign addresses not only the addiction piece of smoking, but also the often overlooked behavioral piece,” said Mary Ann Cooney, Director of the NH DHHS Division of Public Health Services. “Smokers have triggers for lighting up, such as pouring a cup of coffee and smoking a cigarette, answering the phone and lighting a cigarette. This campaign helps smokers think about the behaviors associated with their addiction.”

An estimated 188,997 NH adults currently smoke cigarettes and 58% of them have tried to quit in the past year. According to a recent Surgeon General's Report, 70% of smokers want to quit every year, roughly half of those who try, fail.

Quitting smoking is ultimately one of the single most important lifestyle changes smokers can make to improve and extend their lives. “To date, I think we have done a really good job of teaching smokers why they should quit and what they need to do. But, we have not done a good job of telling them how to do it,” said Daniel Fortin, President and CEO of Breathe New Hampshire. “I think the EX® campaign addresses that need. The campaign combines coaching, pharmacotherapy and social support, so that smokers have the support they need,” he concluded.

For the campaign’s New Hampshire Launch, the Ex Coffee Truck will be visiting the city of Manchester on Friday, April 4, 2008 and the city of Concord on Monday, April 7, 2008. The Ex Coffee Truck will be distributing free coffee and reaching smokers with a quit-smoking message during a common trigger moment at various locations in each city. In addition to the coffee, information will be distributed on the “re-learn” concept and the EX plan available at BecomeAnEX.org.

The EX® campaign will educate smokers through advertisements on television, radio and online and via out-of-home promotions. The program also offers smokers a new Web site, http://www.BecomeAnEX.org, which features action-oriented tools and information to help smokers prepare for quitting by developing a personalized plan, as well as a virtual community, where smokers can share stories and best practices about their quit attempt.

For more information about the EX® Campaign or other tobacco cessation resources, contact Breathe New Hampshire at (800) 835-8647 or visit www.breathenh.org.

Statewide Non-Profit Ships Woman in a Box

AskLisa — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 19:28:00 GMT

These days it is not unusual to find Claudia Bonvouloir, an employee of Breathe New Hampshire, packing up a woman named Lou-Wheeze in a cardboard box and shipping her to towns across the state. Lou-Wheeze is a hands on model that demonstrates how our lungs work. The interactive model has two flexible latex lungs, one showing a healthy lung and one showing a damaged lung. An attached pump inflates the healthy lung, but the diseased lung fails to inflate and deflate normally. Lou-Wheeze is but one of many educational aids Breathe New Hampshire is making available to educators in the Granite State.

Through a grant from the New Hampshire Medical Society, Breathe New Hampshire has gathered a collection of respiratory health educational materials consisting of 3D displays, hands-on models, DVD’s and videos to lend to any educator or health care provider at any public or private school, college, health organization or company in the state.

The Breathe New Hampshire Lending Library includes displays such as a TB Reaction Arm that demonstrates what skin reactions to a TB test look like, Empathy Lungs that simulate COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), a Micro Smokerlyzer CO Monitor that Measures the carbon monoxide levels in the breath, and much, much more.

According to Diane Smogor, VP of Program Services for the organization, “We decided to create a library because we often got requests from schools and community coalitions to borrow our educational materials. The grant allowed us to make the library available to communities across the state.”

“One of the highlights of our No Butts About It ™ program, is when we bring visual aids into the 5^th grade classrooms. The visual aids like Lou Wheeze, Mr. Gross Mouth and the Tar Jar, leave a lasting impression with the students,” said Susan Berry, Program Manager of No Butts About It. No Butts About It ™ is Breathe New Hampshire’s school-based tobacco prevention curriculum for fifth graders. The program is currently in all Manchester elementary schools largely due to grant funding to Breathe New Hampshire through Heritage United Way.

All lending library materials may be borrowed at no cost for up to one week at a time. To borrow items, one must supply a valid major credit card and complete a Lending Library Check-out Form and Users Lending Agreement.

To check out any lending library materials please call 669-2411 or email Breathe New Hampshire at info@breathenh.org. The Check-out Form and Users Lending Agreement are available for print online at www.breathenh.org. For any additional information about the Lending Library, contact Claudia Bonvouloir at 669-2411 or electronically at info@breathenh.org.

Breathe New Hampshire is a non-profit organization committed to eliminating lung disease and improving the quality of life for those who are living with lung disease in New Hampshire.