Lung Association Announces National Volunteer Awardee

ALBANY, NY (04/21/2008)(readMedia)-- The American Lung Association of New York State today announced that Ross P. Lanzafame, Board Chair of the American Lung Association of New York State and a member of the American Lung Association national board, was nationally recognized as the Lung Association’s Volunteer of the Week. Lanzafame, a partner at the law firm of Harter Secrest & Emery LLP, is a lifelong resident of Rochester.

“Ross’s devotion and dedication to public health is surpassed only by the amount of time he volunteers,” said Deborah Carioto, President & CEO of the American Lung Association of New York State. “Ross Lanzafame’s generous donation of his time, talent and treasure has firmly entrenched him as a leading voice for clean air and lung health.”

Ross serves as the Board Chair of the American Lung Association of New York State and as a member of the American Lung Association national board, where he enjoys his work as Co-Chair of the Healthy Air Committee, and on the Funding National Office Task Force. He uses these leadership positions to speak on behalf of the Association, advocating in particular for clean air and the raising of excise taxes on cigarettes at the state and local level in New York. Additionally, Ross serves on the Steering Committee for the Rochester Community Asthma Network, which deals directly with asthmas issues in his local area.

Perhaps Ross’s most creative contribution to the American Lung Association has been his work partnering with the New York State Bar Association, of whom he is chair-elect of its health law section. Inspired by a study performed at New York Hospital, Ross is directing the American Lung Association of New York State in a pilot program to discover where legal professions can help patients with mold allergies and asthma pursue their rights within the court and medical systems.

In addition to his financial support of the American Lung Association, Ross also participates regularly in the Rochester Blow the Whistle on Asthma Walk.

Ross is noted for leading by example by his friends and colleagues, and the American Lung Association is honored to recognize him with the Volunteer of the Week award.

Since 1904, the American Lung Association of New York State has worked tirelessly to promote health and prevent lung disease across New York State. The premier lung health resource in New York State, the Lung Association helps to protect and educate over ten million New Yorkers across 57 counties. With the generous support of the public, the American Lung Association is “Improving life, one breath at a time.” For more information about the American Lung Association of New York state or to support the work we do, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit us online at www.alanys.org.

Editor’s Note – High resolution photos of Ross Lanzafame are available by contacting Brian Marchetti at (518) 465-2013 x 322.

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