The ACT/UCT Clubs in Saskatchewan receive The Canadian Lung Associations Prestigious Patrons Award
The Patrons Award is a national award conferred by The Canadian Lung Association once every two years to an organization or service club that has made an outstanding contribution to the work of The Lung Association. Without question, the seven ACT/UCT Clubs located in Swift Current, North Battleford, Yorkton, Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw and Regina are deserving of this high honour for their long time commitment to lung health in Saskatchewan, says Dr. Brian Graham, The Lung Association's President and CEO. I am pleased to nominate the Saskatchewan Provincial Council of the ACT/UCT for 75 years of exemplary community service to the residents of Saskatchewan, he adds.
It was in 1934 that the Associated Canadian Travellers clubs (ACT) adopted The Lung Association, then known as the Saskatchewan Anti-Tuberculosis League, as their charity of choice. At that time the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic was rampant across the country and in addition to raising much needed funds for TB treatment, the ACT also raised awareness about TB prevention and mobilized community participation for TB surveys. The large TB vans that housed the mobile x-ray labs so that screening for TB was available in communities all across our province were funded by the ACT.
The involvement of the ACT and The Lung Association did not end with the decline of TB and the closure of the three sanatoria in our province. As our mission changed to include combating both lung diseases and environmental threats to the lungs, the ACT Clubs continue to support programs in lung health. Today the ACT provides both monetary and volunteer support to The Lung Association and pediatric asthma in Saskatchewan. They were major sponsors of Asthma Camp and the ACT Wilf Churchman Discovery Asthma Camp was named in their honour.
In 1996 the ACT Clubs amalgamated with the UCT Clubs and today, as the ACT/UCT, members' log many volunteer hours conducting fund raising activities to support the important work of The Lung Association, as well as volunteer hours to assist with Lung Association campaigns such as our annual Back The Attack on Asthma & Allergies Residential Campaign, our Breath of Spring Tulip Campaign, and the sale of our Golf Privilege Club coupon book. Since 1934 the Clubs contributed over $2.3 million for the benefit or our residents.
On Saturday, June 21, at a large gathering in Montreal, Lorne Procyshen, The Lung Association's ACT/UCT Board liaison gratefully accepted the Patrons Award on behalf of the Saskatchewan Provincial Council of the ACT/UCT. Lorne also has a 26 year history as an active ACT/UCT member.
The Lung Association relies on a strong compliment of volunteers and donations from the public to fight lung disease in Saskatchewan. We fund medical research into the causes and cures of lung diseases and conduct programs on asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), tobacco and sleep apnea in your community. The Lung Association also provides training for health professionals, delivers health education in schools, facilitates patient support groups, and lobbies for clean air.
