TOP NEWS
Tips for Dealing with Extreme Heat
This summer, communities throughout the country are experiencing periods of intense heat, and there’s more to come. Fortunately, there are steps you can take during an extreme heat warning to help keep you and your family healthy:
- If you don’t have air conditioning at home, even a few hours spent in public air-conditioned spaces during the hottest part of the day can help your body stay cooler when you return home.
- Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
- Do not use an electric fan to cool yourself when temperatures reach 95 degrees or higher. Fans do create air flow but do not reduce your body temperature and increase your risk of heat-related illnesses. Instead, take a cool shower or bath to lower your body temperature.
- Watch for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke such as heavy sweating, muscle cramps, fainting, fatigue, nausea or confusion, which can be life-threatening.
- If you are living with asthma, COPD or another chronic lung disease, avoid the triggers you can control, such as smoke or fumes; consider slowing your pace and avoiding outdoor hobbies or yardwork; and follow your asthma or COPD action plan.
Learn how to prepare for extreme heat at Lung.org.
Read our blog: “What This Summer’s Record-Breaking Heat Wave Means for Lung Health.”
American Lung Association Honors Michelle McMahon and Allen Wentworth as Volunteers of the Year
The Lung Association recently honored Michell McMahon of New York and Allen Wentworth of Colorado as the organization’s 2025 Volunteers of the Year. Michelle, a 15-year lung cancer survivor, has dedicated her life to lung cancer awareness, advocacy and support. Allen has made a lasting impact on lung health through his leadership, education and advocacy. “Over their years of volunteering for the American Lung Association, Michelle and Allen have demonstrated unwavering commitment to raising awareness of lung cancer, supporting research and providing aid to those affected by lung disease,” said Harold Wimmer, president and CEO of the American Lung Association during the awards ceremony in Chicago. The Volunteer of the Year awards are given annually to individuals who demonstrate outstanding commitment and achievement in the fight against lung disease. Read more about Michelle and Allen
Pfizer Receives Top Corporate Partner Award
The Lung Association is proud to present our 2025 Outstanding Corporate Partner Award to Pfizer. The award honors Pfizer’s longstanding commitment to improving lung health through research, education, and public health initiatives. Their generous financial support has enabled us to expand lifesaving programs and accelerate progress in our mission to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. It’s because of “partners like Pfizer that the Lung Association is able to make an impact,” said Harold Wimmer. Read more.
RESEARCH
In the News: Lung Association-Supported Researcher Develops AI Tool to Enhance Lung Cancer Radiation Therapy
Northwestern Medicine researchers, including Mohamed Abazeed, MD, PhD, a previous recipient of our Lung Cancer Discovery Award, have developed an AI tool called iSeg that enhances lung cancer radiation therapy. Using 4D CT scans, iSeg maps tumors with expert-level accuracy and detects regions clinicians may overlook. It also accounts for tumor movement during breathing, improving treatment precision. In testing, areas flagged only by iSeg were linked to higher treatment failure, highlighting its potential impact. The tool is now being evaluated in clinical settings, with plans to expand to other cancer types and imaging methods. Read the full article.
New Research Highlights the ‘Allergic March’ from Eczema to Asthma in Children
Fernando Martinez, MD, a Lung Association Airways Clinical Research Centers (ACRC) Network principal investigator, contributed to a study recently published in the journal JAMA Network highlighting the potential impact of a skin condition called eczema (or atopic dermatitis) on the development of food allergies, hay fever and asthma. Dr. Martinez, of the University of Arizona in Tucson, and a team of researchers studied more than 5,000 children. For children with eczema, the development of asthma, food allergies and hay fever depended on when and how long they had the condition. This supports the idea of an “allergic march,” where one allergic issue can lead to others. Factors like age, race and sex within the subgroups influenced the allergic outcomes. These findings can help doctors to better identify, predict and manage allergy risks. Read more.
Martin Kang, PhD, Receives ATS/ALA Commemorative 120th Anniversary Research Award
Martin Kang, PhD, of the Medical University of South Carolina, is the recipient of the inaugural ATS/ALA Commemorative 120th Anniversary Joint Research Award. The $120,000 grant—a partnership between the American Thoracic Society (ATS) Research Program and the Lung Association—funds basic, translational or clinical research that has a high likelihood of advancing the understanding of lung disease. Read more about the award and Martin Kang’s research.
YOUR HEALTH
New Bronchiectasis Resources
Bronchiectasis is a chronic, progressive and treatable lung condition affecting between 350,000 and 500,000 adults in the United States. Thickened and damaged airways in the lungs no longer effectively drain mucus, so it builds up and is a breeding ground for infections if not properly managed. The Lung Association is offering new and enhanced resources to help educate individuals living with bronchiectasis on the importance of early diagnosis, how best manage the disease, and how to access guidance and support—all key components to life quality and optimal outcomes.
Learn more at Lung.org/bronchiectasis. Read our new blog, “Top Five Bronchiectasis Facts You Need to Know.”
ADVOCACY
Passage of Reconciliation Bill a ‘Profound Setback for Millions of Patients and Families’
Despite extraordinary opposition efforts—from the Lung Association and other preeminent national health organizations—Congress recently approved a reconciliation bill with billions of dollars in healthcare and clean air cuts. The legislation guts Medicaid and dismantles key provisions of the Affordable Care Act, eliminating coverage for an estimated 17 million people. In a statement, Harold Wimmer said: “the ripple effects of this legislation will be felt across the nation: clinics and rural hospitals may close; people who currently get their healthcare through their employer and lose their job will be locked out of getting Medicaid and lose their safety net; and healthcare will cost more for everyone.” In addition, the new law “prioritizes polluters over people’s health” as it rescinds funding from programs that reduce air pollution.
Preventive Healthcare Protected: Lung Association Joins Health Organizations in Lauding Supreme Court Ruling
A recent Supreme Court ruling protects access to no-cost preventive services, including vaccines, well visits and lung cancer screening for qualified individuals. The American Lung Association strongly advocated for the preservation of preventive care as part of the Affordable Care Act and joined the American Heart Association and other major health organizations in lauding the ruling. “Access to preventive services without cost sharing saves lives and improves the health of our nation.” Read more.
EACH BREATH BLOG
How One Mother is Fighting to Save Others After Lung Cancer Took Her Son
In 2021, at just 29 years old, Veronica’s son, Rashad, passed away from lung cancer. “As a mother, it is so terrible to have to watch your child suffer and know that there is nothing you can do,” said Veronica. Today, she is a LUNG FORCE Hero, sharing her son’s story, helping to educate others about lung cancer, and advocating for research, better treatments and care. “Once I got to that first LUNG FORCE event and saw the community of people sharing their stories, I thought, ‘this is my mission,’ to spread the word and hopefully save other people. It is too late for my son, but maybe we can save someone else.’” Read Veronica’s story.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
For over 120 years, we’ve been dedicated to making a difference and saving lives. Our efforts impact the more than 35 million people living in the United States with chronic lung disease, and millions more through our pioneering model of education, advocacy and research. Thank you for all you do to help us all breathe more easily! Visit Lung.org/get-involved to learn more about how you can make a difference.
Blog last updated: July 14, 2025
