**  Our EFFORTS RALLY was a success!!  Read this page for details! **
May 6th, 7th, and 8th, 2001

Thanks to Lou and Joan Whittemore, we have a wonderful
new photo of Gary's sunburned head!

(Click on small picture to enlarge)

Update!!

NEW RALLY GROUP PICTURE!
CLICK ON THE SMALL PHOTO

CLICK PHOTO BELOW FOR MORE RALLY PHOTOS

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Montage of photos from last year's Rally
Other Photo's from last years Rally
Political Attendees
Speakers

To Join EFFORTS Support and Activist list,
 see http://www.emphysema.net 
Membership is completely free, we are made up solely of volunteers contributing their own time and EFFORTS.

2nd Annual Washington RALLY

EFFORTS WENT WASHINGTON ON MAY 7TH 2001 TO CELEBRATE THEIR THIRD  ANNIVERSARY!


EFFORTS (Emphysema Foundation For Our Right To Survive) is a free internet support and activist group formed on May 6th 1998 by folks of all ages and from all parts of the globe that either have Emphysema, a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or other related lung disease.  We are self-supporting and do not solicit OR accept any funds for our activities.  We are made up completely of volunteers.

Goals: to educate the general public about lung disease; to work to keep our young people from becoming addicted to nicotine, and to actively pursue methods for research funding for medicines for more effective treatment and eventually, a cure for lung disease.

During the period of EFFORTS growth, we have seen the tobacco industry sign The Tobacco Agreement through collaborative work of the Attorneys General of the United States, and pressures brought forth by grass roots organizations such as ours. This Agreement is the direct result of the deceptions practiced by the tobacco industry, and the huge costs for medical care of those afflicted as a result of an addiction to its product and the efforts of these organizations to bring forward such admissions from the Tobacco Companies.

In 2025 the last of the tobacco settlement payments supposedly will be in the mail.

In the year 2030 It is predicted that smoking will be the leading cause of death in the world. 3000 children start smoking daily, if your child is 18 at present, they will only be 48 at this point in time.

Today’s smoker, your teenager, your friend, yourself, can easily become tomorrow’s patient. Tomorrow’s patient will be taking a considerably larger amount of tax dollars from your paychecks for medical expenses.

You, your children, and the generation to come, will be paying an increasing price for big tobacco’s gift to the world, disease and death.

EFFORTS, recognized as one of 79 Public Interest Organizations by the National Institute of Health, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute,  is planning a second Rally to Washington, DC on the third anniversary of the groups emergence as a presence on the internet.  We are actively pursuing further investigation and research, through the NIH, NHLBI, into the biomedical fields regarding our disease.

According to the American Lung Association, COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in this country with about 110,000 yearly.  The number of death incidents continues to grow.  The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology warned in March 2000 that COPD is the only major disease with an EVER-INCREASING death rate. 

On the other hand, death rates for other major diseases have been steadily declining. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the death rate for heart disease FELL by nearly 35% between 1979 and 1997.  

During the same period the death rates for lung diseases ROSE by more than 16 %. National projections through the year 2006 predict continued escalation in COPD morbidity and mortality rates. At the present time, it is estimated that there could be as many as 35 million people with COPD in the US. (American Thoracic Society). Particularly worrisome is the fact that the age of COPD patients has been steadily declining. Our EFFORTS organization continues to experience an increasing influx of members in their 30’s and 40’s who have been diagnosed with COPD and whose poor lung functions greatly limit their ability to work.  

PLEASE JOIN US ON THE WEB OR IN WASHINGTON. GET ACTIVE http://www.emphysema.net/ 

Rally Contacts:
Lois Dickson peaceful@PRODIGY.NET
Joan Breeden mizpatches@aol.com 
Joan Esposito jespo@intac.com 
Mary Ellen Owens Meow30214@AOL.COM
John Thompson onefrosty@aol.com 

Speakers
Dr. Jeff Glassroth, Past President American Thoracic Society
Dr. Walter Talbot, American Cancer Society
Dr. Ron Karpick, American Lung Association
Jill Eicher, American Association for Respiratory Care
Sandra K. Brandley and Gayle Allison, Alpha One, National
Ann Marie Benzinger, Lung Transplant Recipient
Robert Fary, Corporate Director of
Respiratory/HME Services, Apria Healthcare

POLITICAL ATTENDEES

The following politicians agreed to visit with us, or send their representative, those with a red "X" actually made it.  We did not hear from the other folks.  Perhaps they had other issues where they could not make it.

 
12/14/00