Issue 6 Page 2

The ALF launched its COPD plan with a national media launch on this day to coincide with World COPD Day. There was extensive coverage in the Australian media. Locally, there was excellent coverage by WIN TV news of the display arranged by Dr Richard Wood-Baker at the Royal Hobart Hospital. The Hon Michael Hodgeman, MHA, was present. A display was set up by Kathleen Burgess at Launceston General Hospital & this was attended by a loyal group of LUST members.

2002 “Give Your Lungs a Lift” Information Exchange

The annual Tasmanian LungNet “Give Your Lungs a Lift” Information Exchange was held on Saturday, 19th October 2002, from 10.30 am to 2.30 pm at Launceston General Hospital, Level 2 Lecture Theatre.

The program started with a welcome to the 60 attendees by James Markos, Chairman of the Tas Branch of the ALF. He then gave an update about the work of the ALF. He introduced the topics to follow, with a brief overview of how the lungs work and what happens in emphysema. He outlined the plans by the ALF to promote awareness, on World COPD Day (20th November 2002), of the suffering caused by emphysema globally. COPD refers to Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. It is the term used to include lung disorders such as emphysema. The next session, entitled “Emphysema & Lung Reduction Surgery”, was presented by our special guest, Dr David Reid. He is a medical lung specialist who moved from the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, to the Royal Hobart Hospital in 2002. One of his roles is to act as the medical co-ordinator in Tasmania for people referred to Melbourne for lung transplantation or lung reduction surgery. He gave an excellent and clear talk about the abnormalities which occur in emphysema and the way in which lung reduction surgery is felt to improve some people with this disorder. He kindly stayed for the rest of the meeting & contributed extensively to the discussions, which was greatly appreciated by the members. The same session was continued with invited guest, Patricia Turner, who gave a personal perspective on what it is like to have severe breathlessness from a lung disorder. She mentioned the helpful but temporary benefit she had experienced from past treatments, and the hope she had for new treatment options in the future.

Issue 6 Page 2