Assemblyman Rivera, Advocates, Teachers and School Administrators to Unveil Programs for Asthmatic Children

BRONX, NY (05/09/2008)(readMedia)-- WHAT: A new program, funded by Assemblyman Peter M. Rivera, which will teach parents, students, and educators asthma management skills and how to enjoy a lifetime of better breathing, will be unveiled

WHO: Teachers, school administrators, students, parents, Lori Bukiewicz, Program Coordinator for Asthma Free School Zone, Assemblyman Peter M. Rivera, Louise Vetter, President & CEO of the American Lung Association of the City of New York, Nilda Rivera, Principal, PS 36, Ms. Chambers, School Nurse, PS 36, Norma Martinez, Parent Coordinator, PS 36, several PS 36 children who have asthma and have completed the American Lung Association's Open Airways for Schools course

WHY: May is National Asthma Awareness Month. Tens of thousands of school-age children are suffering from asthma and continue to be exposed to harmful diesel exhausts while schools are ill-equipped to handle their asthma attacks. With the highest rates of asthma in the entire nation, Bronx has completely failed to address this health problem. This lack of action has reached a boiling point in many communities where students are missing hundreds of hours of school due to respiratory illnesses caused by vehicle exhaust and lack of inexpensive medical equipment in schools. As a result, 17% of school-aged children in the South Bronx suffer from asthma. Furthermore, in New York State in 2002, one in 13 school children suffered from asthma and according to the NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation, as many as 50,000 New York City students have asthma.

WHERE: Outside of entrance to PS 36, 1070 Castle Hill Avenue, Bronx

WHEN: Monday, May 12th, 2008 at 10:30AM

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