Shared Stories
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Richard G. My sister, Clara, and I grew up in a small home in Philadelphia. She had terrible asthma, including many doctor visits and hospitalizations, including in the ICU.
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Ellen A. I was shot in my torso and arm some 29 years ago. One of the bullets went through my lung.
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Chanel V. My oldest daughter Isis, 17, was the most pure hearted person you could ever meet. She was taken from us recently due to asthma.
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Beth A. I have two daughters, both influenced by other teenagers who vape.
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Connie J. I was diagnosed with Hypersensitive pneumonitis January 2002. I had been working at Ground Zero NYC following 9/11.
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Frank M. I joined the military 31 Mar,1960 and was sent to HVAC Tech school and that's when I was exposed to phosgene gas and welding/brazing fumes.
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Brandon C. I smoked for many years when I was younger and completely understand the difficulty associated with moving on from something as addictive as smoking.
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Jace S. While working I was called and told news that forever changed me. "Jace, Raroo (grandma) has severe COPD and was given six months to two years left to live."
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Alexandra S. I was diagnosed with Valley Fever in 2014 and battled it for many years. On October 15, 2021 I entered the hospital with an almost completely collapsed lung.
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Cynthia W. I was diagnosed in 2010 with COPD. In the past twelve years the air quality around me has impacted the progression of my situation incredibly often.
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Bill D. Happy Earth Day 2022: I was born with asthma so my parents quit smoking cigarettes. Air pollution growing up in D.C. area in the 1960's as well as allergies triggered many severe, almost fatal asthma attacks.
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Carl H. My name is Carl Heltzel and I am a PhD chemist, writer, and author. About 13 years ago, I was helping my mother in her garden when she had pain in her chest.
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Linda S. I began smoking when I was in the military. I was never a heavy smoker and after I married at the age of 23, while pregnant, I gave up the bad habit and when my child turned two, I started up again.
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Meghan L. I have been suffering with undiagnosed breathing problems probably all my life, but I did not start getting help until fall of 2020 at Penn Medicine following an employer annual physical.
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Donna L. My family is no stranger to lung disease. My father developed occupational-related exposure asthma when he was in his 40's.
