Everyone is familiar with the sensation of breathing hard during exertion. The increased heart rate, quickened breathing and slight tightening in the chest. Now imagine these sensations increasing rapidly while you’re only sitting still. This is how an asthma attack feels.
The Asthma Society of Canada reports “In Canada, approximately 20 children and 500 adults die each year from asthma. About 20 per cent of boys and 15 per cent of girls aged 8 to 11 have been diagnosed with asthma. It is estimated that more than 80 per cent of asthma deaths could be prevented with proper asthma education.” Awareness, support and education are crucial to change these statistics.
In this year’s TransRockies there are two teams that are hoping to increase such awareness and education. The Breathe Easy teams from Fernie, B.C. are riding in support of the Asthma Society of Canada. They will compete in the “toughest mountain bike race in the world” for 7 days through the British Columbia Rockies covering approximately 600 kms and an elevation gain of 12,000 vertical miles. Team Breathe Easy One is Pepper Couelle-Sterling, a teacher and asthmatic and Dr. Shayne Soetaert, a family physician, who are also conducting educational seminars in the schools about Athletes and Asthma. Team Breathe Easy Two is Michelle Kramer and Sebastian Bade.
If you would like to learn more about the Blackstone Fernie TransRockies campaign supporting asthma, please go to the Asthma Society of Canada’s website: www.asthma.ca. Do it honour of the asthma sufferer you love the most. And don’t worry if that person happens to be you. To quote the motto of the Asthma Society, “everyone deserves to breathe easy.” To make a donation please go directly to: www.asthma.ca
