Asthma Foundation NSW aims to enhance the lifestyle, health and wellbeing of the 800,000 people living with asthma in NSW through advocacy, education, and training.  We offer comprehensive information, specialist expertise in managing asthma, and programs to help create asthma friendly communities in schools, children’s services, workplaces and sports groups.

• Developed an innovative online registration program to directly link with many more of the 800,000 people with asthma in NSW.

• Expanded our connections in rural areas through education sessions at Inverell and Cowra, holding a Community Network Conference for rural volunteers, experimenting with a rural blog.

• Provided over $250,000 to fund research to build knowledge about asthma management and prevention - and ultimately find a cure.

• Provided credible, up to date asthma information to over 50,000 unique visitors to Asthma Foundation NSW website.

• Answered over 3,000 calls to the Asthma Information Line, providing information to people with asthma, their carers and health professionals – and received a 98% satisfaction rating from our callers!

• Developed new information packs targeted to people newly diagnosed with asthma and their carers.

• Gained more than 4,000 new registrations across Australia to receive 2xhale campaign Asthma Action Packs, empowering people to better manage asthma and know more about how to handle an asthma emergency.

• Provided more than 1200 community asthma education sessions including for school and swim school staff, and into other workplaces.

• Provided over 350 people with the opportunity to take a free lung function test and consult a qualified health professional on their asthma control at public events during World Asthma Day and National Asthma Week.

• Worked with the Asthma Foundations of Australia to strengthen relationships with the Federal Government to ensure asthma remains a National Health Priority, providing national support for programs and services delivered in NSW.

• Built relationships across a range of portfolio areas with the NSW Government, lobbying for policy and financial support.

• Gained extensive media coverage throughout the year promoting asthma awareness, highlighting key triggers for asthma and providing useful tips on how to minimise exposure and advocating for Government and community support.

• Promoted awareness and action around air quality and asthma in a range of forums.

• Head the effort to create a safer and more secure environment for over 70,000 NSW primary and high school students through the Asthma Friendly Schools Program.

• Provided approximately 300 childcare centres with Asthma Friendly Guidelines ensuring they are better equipped to manage asthma.

• Ran a successful pilot Asthma Friendly Rugby Union Program, encouraging people with asthma to feel safe to play sport by equipping coaches and clubs with knowledge on what to do in an emergency – and winning the 2007 NSW Sporting Injuries Committee Safety Sports Awards – Gold Award for the Program!

Current priority actions being addressed as our resources permit include:

• Launching our online registration system to strengthen and broaden our links to many more of the 800,000 people with asthma in NSW.

• Improving coordination of our information services to better meet consumer needs.

• Creating an online asthma self management system.

• Organising a successful Australian Asthma Conference 2008 in Sydney on October 20 & 21 on behalf of Asthma Foundations Australia.

• Building the scope of our research programs

Asthma Foundation NSW supports the Hunter region of NSW.  Contact Hunter Outreach Office Tel: 02 4950 2522.   Asthma Foundation NSW is open for everyone to join or participate in.