World Asthma Day Activities at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., April 21, 2005—Join us on Saturday, May 7, 2005 from 11 to 3 as the Washtenaw Asthma Council raises awareness through education and hands-on activities at the Museum. Reduced admission of $4 per person for the first 100 people has been donated by Care Choices.

World Asthma Day is an annual event organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) to improve asthma awareness and care around the world.

Each year GINA chooses a theme and organizes preparation and distribution of World Asthma Day materials and resources. World Asthma Day activities are organized in each country by health care professionals, educators, and members of the public who want to help reduce the burden of asthma.

The theme of World Asthma Day 2005 will be "The Unmet Needs of Asthma." The GINA Executive Committee has chosen this theme to call the attention of doctors and patients alike to the need for better asthma treatment and control.

The Washtenaw Asthma Coalition will have activities focusing on family education and awareness including the Asthma Control Test which helps people determine if their asthma is under control. Beanie Babies will to given to those who take the ACT test- as long as supplies last! There will be exciting interactive computer games about asthma; a home trigger display and a "Wheel of Wellness" with prizes.

Washtenaw Asthma Coalition and its member organizations will be providing free educational material including information on the Michigan School Inhaler Law; the Comprehensive Asthma Program; Mr. Gross Mouth and the effects of tobacco smoke; asthma management tools (spacers, peak flow meters and asthma management plans); Asthma Initiative of Michigan bookmarks and resources including the Michigan Asthma Resource Kit (MARK).

Discover the Scientist within you at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. Explore and enjoy the wonder of science, math and technology in an interactive environment that promotes science literacy. Hours Monday –Saturday 10 to 5, Sunday Noon to 5 734.995.5439 or www.aahom.org.