Welcome to the American Lung Association’s
Legacy planned giving online newsletter.
Here, you can find stories about how your support impacts lives across the country by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. We hope you enjoy these stories and will share your feedback with us.
Dedicated to the Fight
Dr. Sean Muldoon: A Life Dedicated to Advocating for Healthier Lungs
Sean Muldoon, a pulmonologist and public health expert, has seen first-hand the importance of lung health. As he says, “When you can’t breathe, nothing else matters.”
Sean is a National Board member, a Regional Board member and a Kentucky Leadership Board member with the American Lung Association. In addition to his volunteer leadership, he participates in Advocacy Day each year, serves on the Derby Eve Gala Planning Committee in Louisville and has been a Team Captain for the Louisville Fight For Air Climb for multiple years.
Sean has seen how far treatments have come since he started his career, noting that “the inhaled medicines are much more effective than they were.” However, he is concerned with the cost and accessibility of these treatments. He hopes that in the next 20 years there will be a change in our environmental issues and for the melding of political and scientific wills to properly fund lung health research.
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As a legacy gift donor, Sean encourages others to join him by making this type of gift to the Lung Association. “It’s important to put your money where your mouth is and show others that you can make a difference,” he says. For those considering a donation, he encourages them to not be afraid and think about what they want to leave for the world which is reflective of either their profession or their family.
Sean is optimistic about the future of lung health as long as we all work together and continue to push for better research, treatments and policy. He emphasizes that “There’s no getting around the fact that we’re going be breathing and we’re going to be breathing air. And that air is going to be heavily influenced by things we do in daily life, in our community and in the entire world.”
By joining forces with the Lung Association, supporters like you enable us to take action and create a healthier future. Together, we can make a lasting difference, and improve lung health for all.
“There’s no getting around the fact that we’re going be breathing and we’re going to be breathing air. And that air is going to be heavily influenced by things we do in daily life, in our community and in the entire world.”
— Dr. Sean Muldoon
New American Lung Association Research Institute to Accelerate High Impact, Lifesaving Lung Health Research
The American Lung Association is committed to increasing awareness and addressing the most pressing lung health issues of our time.
More than 34 million Americans live with lung disease. When combined with lung cancer and respiratory diseases like COVID-19 and influenza, lung disease is a leading cause of death in America. To address urgent and critical lung health challenges in our country, the American Lung Association has announced the launch of the American Lung Association Research Institute.
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“Lung disease is a critical health challenge in America, and we must take action to address it. The American Lung Association Research Institute is our answer to this challenge, and we are committed to investing in research, collaborating with experts and empowering scientists to accelerate discovery and innovation,” said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. “The Lung Association has long been the trusted champion of lung health research, and the new Research Institute will take our work to end lung disease to the next level.”
The new American Lung Association Research Institute will:
• Increase Research Investment through the organization’s Awards and Grants program to $25 million per year by 2030.
• Expand Clinical Research in asthma and COPD throughout its nationwide Airways Clinical Research Centers, while working with an impressive bandwidth of experts to produce results directly impacting patient care.
• Convene Scientists and Funded Researchers for whitepapers, roundtables and collaboration. The Research Institute will also host conferences for the research team, principal investigators and lung health associates to collaboratively address and advance the most pressing issues in lung health.
• Collaborate with government and non-profits and co-invest with private industry to dramatically accelerate lung health discoveries and innovation.
The Research Institute is governed by the Scientific Advisory Committee, a committee of the National Board of Directors, which includes the top experts in research and lung health from across the country. A new subcommittee of the Scientific Advisory Committee will explore partnership programs and collaboration opportunities for the American Lung Association Research Institute.
The American Lung Association Research Institute is only able to launch such a comprehensive effort to address the urgent and critical lung health challenges in our country because of our generous supporters. We thank you for your commitment to making a difference and furthering our mission. Help create a brighter, healthier future for all by including the American Lung Association Research Institute or other important research in your estate plans. Together, we can ensure that future generations can benefit from lifesaving advancements and discoveries in lung health. Thank you for your commitment to making a difference in ending lung disease.
Lung Health During Wildfires
Wildfires, including grassland fires and forest fires, are an ongoing concern where there is dry, hot weather. During a wildfire, people throughout the surrounding area may suffer the effects of the smoke. Talk with your doctor about how to prepare for this smoke, especially if you or someone in the family fits into one of these categories: works outdoors; is under age 18 or over age 65; or has asthma, COPD or other lung diseases, chronic heart disease, diabetes or is pregnant. Monitor your breathing and exposure to the smoke.
If problems develop, call your physician immediately.
With wildfires becoming more prevalent, it’s important to protect yourself against the health risks of wildfire smoke.
Additional Tips
Stay indoors. Follow guidance from local authorities and remain indoors to reduce breathing smoke, ashes and other pollution.
Protect the air in your home. Close doors, windows and fireplace dampers; use an air conditioner on recirculation setting if available.
Keep an eye on symptoms. Contact a healthcare provider if you are experiencing symptoms that concern you.
Take precautions for kids. They have more vulnerable lungs than adults.
Don’t count on a dust mask. Use an N-95 or N-100 filter mask if available.
Ask for help. Reach out to the American Lung Association’s Lung HelpLine at 1-800-LUNGUSA for additional guidance and support.
See if it’s Time to Create or Update Your Plans
Life can be unpredictable, which is why it’s important to be prepared for the future. By creating and regularly updating your estate plans, you can ensure that your family and the causes you care about are taken care of in any unforeseen circumstances. Planning allows you to make decisions now so that you have control over what happens later, ensuring that your wishes will always be honored.
How Often Should I Review My Plan?
• It has been three or more years since you last reviewed your plans.
• You recently retired or changed jobs.
• Your marital status has changed.
• You have lost a spouse or other loved one.
• Your health status has changed.
• You welcomed a new child or grandchild.
• The value of your estate has changed substantially.
• Your wishes have changed on how you would like your property distributed.
My Planning Organizer
For many of us, it can be difficult to get our will or beneficiary designations and other important estate planning documents together without a place to start. Our complimentary guide, “My Planning Organizer,” will help get you started!
This guide will help you locate and organize all the important information to create or update your plan, giving you peace of mind and ensuring your wishes are honored. You can download “My Planning Organizer” here.
Your legacy could be a world free of lung disease. I’m here to help.
Your gift will make a lasting impact by helping save lives for years to come.
Cheryl J. Smoot
National Assistant Vice President,
Individual and Planned Giving
Phone: 312-801-7642
Cheryl.Smoot@Lung.org
We are here to answer any questions and to discuss these options to achieve your personal and philanthropic goals. Please email us with any questions you may have.