Campaigning praise for Breathe Easy

Speaking at the Health Fair in the Lodge Hotel, Coleraine, last Friday, organised by Breathe Easy Causeway, Mr Cant said: “Northern Ireland Groups are fast proving to be the inspirational driving force in the lung disease campaign.

“The British Lung Foundation is now working closely and effectively with health professionals and those responsible for decision-making to make sure that the best possible advice and expert help is available to those patients battling severe breathing problems.

“We are currently going in the right direction. But we are not complacent about our success. Much more needs to be done and we are determined to achieve our ambitious goals. Our 25th anniversary is the catalyst needed to give our campaign work the necessary boost.”

Alderman Tom McKeown, Deputy Mayor of Ballymoney, had special praise for the work of the local group, Breathe Easy Causeway.

He said: “Lung disease is a major health problem in Northern Ireland.

“It is encouraging to see the major effort being made by the newly appointed BLF Development Officer for Northern Ireland, Mrs Nessie Blair, to establish new groups throughout the province.

“The enterprise and hard work of the Breathe Easy volunteers is highly appreciated.”

At the Health Fair Mrs Lynne Holt, the Co-ordinator for lung and heart transplants at the Specialist Unit at Newcastle- Upon-Tyne, gave a detailed rundown on what was being done throughout Scotland and Ireland.

And she made an urgent appeal for more transplant donors.