American Lung Association In Nebraska
About American Lung Association in Nebraska
The American Lung Association is saving lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. We were founded over 120 years ago by a group of volunteers dedicated to ending the lung health threat at the time: tuberculosis. With TB largely controlled in the United States, we have extended that mission to other respiratory diseases. And thanks to our donors, volunteers, program and event participants, and staff, we are America’s trusted source for lung health education, lung disease research, support, programs, services and advocacy.
When you can’t breathe, nothing else matters®.
Programs & Services Offered
Lung Helpline is a toll-free nationwide service staffed by registered nurses, respiratory therapists and certified addiction counselors that provide the most current lung health information to lung disease patients, family members and healthcare providers. Services include smoking cessation, lung disease counseling, physician referrals and financial assistance.
Better Breathers Clubs: Adults with lung disease and their families connect with each other in support groups.
Better breathers Network: The Better Breathers Network is a nationwide, online support program providing direct access to lung disease management tools, education, and connection to other patients and caregivers. https://www.lung.org/help-support/better-breathers-network
Freedom from Smoking: This smoking cessation program helps tobacco users who are ready to quit.
Inspire.com: The Lung Association is proud to support several free online communities on Inspire.com for people facing lung disease.
ALA funds research programs aimed at finding cures and new medical treatments for lung disease, including lung cancer. In addition, we also support the American Lung Association Asthma Clinical Research Center (ACRC).
Saved By The Scan: Lung cancer is the No. 1 leading cause of cancer-related death in America, but now there's hope. This screening is used to detect lung cancer early, when it is more likely to be curable. If the disease is caught before it spreads, the likelihood of surviving five years improves from 11 percent to 55 percent. (Based on early-stage lung cancer stats stage 1 vs. stage 4)
LUNG FORCE Expos are a great opportunity for patients and healthcare professionals to learn more about the latest trends, resources and research surrounding lung cancer, COPD, asthma and other lung diseases. These events feature experts from a variety of lung health-related fields presenting on current research and hot topics; an exhibitor showcase; and a chance for patients, caregivers and the local medical community to connect.
State of the Air Report: For 20 years, the American Lung Association has analyzed data from official air quality monitors to compile the "State of the Air" report. The more you learn about the air you breathe, the more you can protect your health and take steps to make our air cleaner and healthier. Last year, our annual State of Lung Cancer Report showed that lung cancer survival rates are improving. However, the report also showed that lung cancer remains the country’s #1 cancer killer. Curing lung cancer will not be a single event, but a continuous progression of meaningful breakthroughs over time. Those breakthroughs are only possible because of the sustained and reliable support from Corporate Cup participants like you. To learn more about the Lung Association’s efforts on Lung Cancer, go to Lung.org/LungCancer.
State of Lung Cancer Report: "State of Lung Cancer" is the American Lung Association's report that shows how the toll of lung cancer varies by state. Examining lung cancer incidence, survival, stage at diagnosis, surgical treatment, lack of treatment, and screening, this report finds states must do more to protect their residents from lung cancer.
Asthma-Friendly Schools Initiative: Learn how to create a long-term asthma management plan for your school. Get the guidance you need to help your local community plan and implement a comprehensive asthma management program.
Open Airways for Schools: Open Airways For Schools® is a program that educates and empowers elementary-aged children through a fun and interactive approach to asthma self-management.
Kickin' Asthma: This asthma management program for kids ages 11-16 (grades 6-10) educates and empowers them through a fun and interactive approach to asthma self-management.
Asthma Resources: Every day, children and adults with chronic asthma try to minimize and avoid the things that trigger an attack. Although there is no cure, asthma can be managed, which is where we come in. The American Lung Association is a recognized authority for asthma health professionals, school personnel and families who are impacted by the disease. And so, every day, 365 days a year, thousands of people across the country turn to us for support and free resources to manage asthma at home, work and at school. To learn more about the Lung Association’s resources on Asthma go to Lung.org/Asthma.
Vape-free Schools Initiative: For decades we have been helping people quit tobacco for good. Now we’ve leveraged that experience and expertise to address the alarming youth vaping epidemic through our nationwide Vape-Free Schools Initiative. One in four teens has vaped, and the number of middle and high school students using e-cigarettes increased to 5.4 million in 2019. Vaping can permanently damage lungs. When you participate in the Corporate Cup you support our work to end the youth vaping epidemic. To learn more about the Lung Association’s work around the Vaping epidemic go to Lung.org/Quit-Smoking
Clinical Quality Improvements in the Treatment of Children's Asthma: The American Lung Association partners with clinics and health systems across the state of Nebraska to help children from low-income families manage their asthma and lead full, productive lives. These partnerships help patients reduce asthma symptoms by helping care providers receive necessary training, improve clinic workflows, and incorporate best practices. Program results include reduced hospitalizations and emergency department visits and economic savings to health plans and families.
Asthma Basics: This free one-hour interactive online learning module is designed to help you learn more about asthma.
Asthma Educator Institute: This two-day professional development course teaches asthma guidelines-based care and helps professionals prepare for the National Asthma Educators Certified Board (NAECB) exam.
E-Cigarettes: Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, are tobacco products that have been sold in the U.S. for about a decade. They include e-pens, e-pipes, e-hookah, and e-cigars, known collectively as ENDS—electronic nicotine delivery systems. They're also sometimes called JUULs, "vapes" and "vape pens." E-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco products among kids—and it's become an epidemic. While much remains to be determined about the lasting health consequences of e-cigarettes, there’s evolving evidence about the health risks of e-cigarettes on the lungs—including irreversible lung damage and lung disease. The American Lung Association is very concerned that we are at risk of losing another generation to tobacco-caused diseases as the result of e-cigarettes. The Lung Association remains extremely troubled about the rapid increase of youth using these products and has repeatedly called upon the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to increase their oversight and scrutiny of these products to protect kids. More information here.
InDepth: Teen tobacco use has long been linked to lifelong dependency, with 9 out of 10 cigarette users claiming they picked up their first cigarette before the age of 18. The introduction of e-cigarettes has amplified the problem: Over the course of just one year, vaping's popularity grew from 2.1 million in 2017 to 3.6 million in 2018, prompting the U.S. Surgeon General to declare e-cigarette use among our youth an epidemic. Teens are getting hooked on tobacco and instead of getting education or support, they are getting suspended from school or other disciplinary measures. INDEPTH® is a new way to help.
COVID 19 Town Hall Series: In the wake of COVID-19, we’ve made it a priority to monitor recent developments, share new findings and support Americans with the science-based information and resources you can trust. The American Lung Association’s virtual COVID-19 Town Hall Series is bringing top health experts together to raise awareness about the effects of COVID-19 and discuss the health impact of the pandemic on all Americans. Register here: https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/covid-19/action-initiative/town-hall
COVID 19 Resources : COVID-19 Resources for Community Leaders and Health Professionals or American Lung Association COVID-19 Info
COVID Booster Recommendations: The CDC recommends updated COVID-19 boosters for everyone 5 years and older. that everyone who is eligible stay up to date on the latest COVID-19 vaccination recommendations. The virus that causes COVID-19 continues to change over time, these are called variants. The most recent variants circulating are Omicron subvariants (BA.5 for example) and their sublineages such as BQ.1 and BQ.1.1. The newest COVID-19 booster is expected to provide protection against all of these.
COVID-19 Research and work: is not the first, and it will not be the last respiratory pandemic that we will face. That’s why we created the COVID-19 Action Initiative and committed $25 million to end COVID-19 and protect against future pandemics. By participating in the Corporate Cup, you are helping to PREVENT future outbreaks by investing in respiratory virus research. PROVIDE free lung health education and masks to those in need. PROTECT public health by advocating for COVID-19 and flu vaccines in underserved communities of color. To learn more about our research and work around COVID-19, go to Lung.org/COVID19.
Did You Know?
Estimated people in Nebraska with lung disease:
23,600 kids with asthma.
128,800 adults with asthma
91,500 people with COPD
1,160 people with lung cancer
In total, there are 250,000 people living with chronic lung disease.
An estimated 1,300 new cases of lung cancer are expected to be diagnosed each year in Nebraska.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that can infect people of all ages. It is so common that most children have been infected with the virus by age 2. Most people, including infants, usually develop only mild symptoms similar to that of a common cold, with congestion, runny nose and cough. But for some, it can be severe and even life-threatening. (https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/rsv)
You Can Help
Vaping/Tobacco
$50 – Educates one teacher on harms of vaping.
$50 – Helps one student stop vaping.
$100 – Helps two students stop vaping.
$250 – Helps brings two kids to your state capitol to educate local legislators about impact of vaping on peers.
$400 – Helps train one youth vaping cessation group leader.
$800 – Helps 800 parents talk to their kids about harms of vaping.
$800 – Helps counter Big Tobacco marketing efforts with advertising reaching 800 people.
$1,000 - Provides Freedom from Smoking® Plus smoking cessation memberships for 10 people.
Lung Force/Lung Cancer
$50 – Provides Lung HelpLine phone support for 1 lung cancer patient.
$100 – Helps provide a Courage Kit to a newly diagnosed lung cancer patient.
$225 – Educates 25 people at high risk for lung cancer about lung cancer screening.
$500 – Supports 1 day of lung cancer research to find better early detection and treatment options.
Research
$30 – Helps recruit 1 participant for the largest ever millennial lung health study.
$60 – Helps recruit 2 participants for the largest ever millennial lung health study.
$120 – Helps recruit 4 participants for the largest ever millennial lung health study.
$300 – Helps recruit 10 participants for the largest ever millennial lung health study.
$650 – Supports 1 day of research at 1 center of the ACRC, the largest nonprofit clinical research network focused on asthma and COPD.
$650 – Supports 1 day of research to end COVID-19 and other emerging respiratory viruses.
$650 – Supports 1 day of research at 1 center of the ACRC, the largest nonprofit clinical research network focused on asthma and COPD.
$650 – Supports 1 day of research to develop better treatments for asthma.
$650 – Supports 1 day of research to reduce mortality from COPD.
$1,000 – Supports 2 days of research to end COVID-19 and other emerging respiratory viruses.
$1,300 – Supports 2 days of research to improve quality of life for people will chronic lung diseases.
$50,000 – Provides 1 of year funding to a Catalyst Award researcher. The American Lung Association Catalyst Award is a mentored award meant to support outstanding investigators on the path to independence for research into the mechanisms of lung disease and general lung biology.
$75,000 – Funds 1 year of an American Lung Association Innovation Award grant for a scientist conducting studying cutting edge research.
$100,000 – Funds 1 year of an American Lung Association Lung Cancer Discovery Award.
Air Quality
$75– Educates 1 homeowner about radon testing to prevent lung cancer.
$150 – Helps engage and train 1 youth clean air activist.
$250 – Supports review and analysis of air quality data for 1 county in the State of the Air Report.
$500 – Helps promote the local screening of clean air documentary film.
$2,000 – Helps engage and train 1 expert medical clean air spokesperson.
COVID-19
$50 – Helps provide COVID-19 resources to 18,000 people.
$100 – Supports 2 patients calling HelpLine experts with questions on COVID-19.
$150 – Provides COVID-19 vaccine and treatment information on Lung.org to 1 million people.
$250 – Promotes awareness of lifesaving vaccines reaching 90,000 people.
$375 – Helps support physician-led COVID-19 webinar for 500.
$1,000 – Supports 2 days of research to end COVID-19.
Lung Health
$350 – Provides 1 healthcare provider with Asthma Educator Institute training.
$350 – Provides 1 healthcare provider with COPD Educator Course training
Dollars at Work
137 research grants funded through our research program.
$13.2 million dollars invested in 2023
Estimated $4 billion saved in unnecessary healthcare costs because of ACRC research
36 ACRC trial sites
$211.4 million invested in research since 2000
100+ ACRC research manuscripts published since 1999
Contact Info
402-502-4950 | website | 11225 Davenport St. #101, Omaha, NE 68154