Recognition in Advocacy: Penny Grant

For nearly 15 years, Penny has been a dedicated community advocate for Asthma Canada. Penny played a key role in establishing the National Asthma Patient Alliance (now the Asthma Canada Member Alliance) and participated in advocacy days on the Hill in Ottawa. She has contributed insights to various Asthma Canada publications like the Patient Bill of Rights and advocated for access to essential medications.

Now effectively managing her asthma, Penny engages with the community through Asthma Canada, emphasizing the need for greater awareness of adult asthma. For her unwavering commitment to improving the lives of those affected, Penny is honored with the “Recognition in Advocacy” award. Her inspiring journey reminds us that with determination and support, living well with asthma is possible.  Read Penny’s full asthma story.

Recognition in Research: Dag Enhorning

Dag Enhorning has been one of Asthma Canada’s most loyal and generous donors over the past decade. Dag’s father, Dr. Goran Enhorning, a prominent physician and researcher, conducted pioneering studies in the 1960s and 1970s into respiratory distress syndrome, often fatal to babies born more than a month prematurely. His work proved the effectiveness of lung surfactant replacement therapy and led to the development of several clinical surfactants. Dr. Enhorning’s work has saved countless lives. When Dr. Enhorning passed away in 2013, Dag and his family decided to honour his legacy by creating the Enhorning Fund for Asthma Research with an initial gift to Asthma Canada to establish the fund and annual contributions since then.

This fund allows us to support researchers right across Canada to help improve the lives of those affected by asthma.

Dag completed his final term on our board at the June 2024 AGM, but we are very fortunate that he is staying on as a member and partner of the Asthma Canada family.

Recognition in Education: Dr. Alan Kaplan

Dr. Kaplan has been a steadfast supporter of Asthma Canada, offering his time and expertise as a key member of the Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee. He has dedicated countless hours to presenting webinars, reviewing patient resources, participating in policy meetings and educational workshops, and co-authoring papers to advance asthma care. In addition to his work with Asthma Canada, Dr. Kaplan is a recognized leader in asthma and COPD care, renowned for his exceptional commitment to patient education and respiratory medicine.

Dr. Kaplan is a Family Physician practicing in York Region, Ontario. He serves as the Chairperson of the Family Physician Airways Group of Canada and is the past Chairperson of the Respiratory Section of the College of Family Physicians of Canada. His leadership in advancing respiratory care has made a significant impact on asthma education and management.

Hello everyone, and welcome! I’m Jeff Beach, President and CEO of Asthma Canada, and I couldn’t be more excited to be here with all of you tonight. 

First and foremost, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has taken the time to join us on this incredibly special occasion—especially those of you who traveled  to celebrate this milestone. Asthma Canada’s 50^th anniversary is a significant achievement, and it is an honor to share this moment with each one of you. 

Fifty years—that’s five decades of working tirelessly to improve the lives of people with asthma. The world was a different place 50 years ago. No internet, no cell phones, home computers, social media, in many ways they were simpler times but in other ways they were more difficult for people living with chronic diseases like asthma. When you stop and think about how long that is, you realize just how much has changed, not only for Asthma Canada but for the entire landscape of asthma care in this country. What we’ve achieved together is remarkable, and tonight is as much about looking back and celebrating those successes as it is about looking forward to what we can accomplish in the future. 

I am proud to say that we are surrounded tonight by some of the people who have been the key players in Asthma Canada’s success over the years: current and former staff, board members, healthcare professionals, researchers, volunteers, partners, and, of course, members of the asthma community. You all have contributed in one way or another to building the legacy of advocacy, education, and research that defines Asthma Canada. Together, we have worked to improve the lives of Canadians living with asthma, and we will continue to work toward our ultimate goal—a future without asthma. 

This evening, I want to express our gratitude to our sponsors, whose generous support has made this event possible. We are grateful that many of you are with us this evening. Thank you to our Gold Sponsors Bruce Power, Crowe Soberman, Innovative Medicines Canada and Pfizer. Thank you to our Silver Sponsors AstraZeneca, GSK, Panasonic, Sanofi, TD Wealth Management and Tinkham L.L.P.  

Reflecting on Our History 

As we gather to celebrate Asthma Canada’s 50^th anniversary, it’s only fitting to reflect on where it all began. Our story begins with Judy Godfrey, a remarkable woman who was the driving force behind the founding of what was then known as the Asthma Society of Canada. Judy was fiercely passionate about ensuring that funds raised for asthma research in Canada remained here rather than being directed to the U.S. – which had been the case previously. Alongside her close friend and fellow passionate volunteer Jo Ann Posen, Judy co-founded this organization in the 1970s, overcoming challenges in a time when women’s leadership was often overlooked. 

Judy and Jo Ann were not alone in their efforts. Judy’s husband, Sheldon Godfrey, was also a key figure in the early days of the organization, as were numerous healthcare professionals, researchers, and parents of children with asthma. Together, they built a community of like-minded individuals dedicated to improving asthma care in Canada and helping people with asthma live better lives. 

As we gather tonight, we honor the legacies of Judy, Jo Ann, Sheldon, and countless others who helped shape Asthma Canada. Without their vision and determination, none of this would have been possible. 

Sadly, Jo Ann Posen passed away a few years ago, but we want to take this time to remember her and thank her for her visionary leadership and for working alongside Judy to found the organization that was incorporated as the Asthma Society of Canada in 1974. 

This evening, we are especially proud to have Judy and Sheldon Godfrey and several members of their family here for this momentous occasion. We are pleased to recognize Judy Godfrey for her extraordinary contributions and lifetime achievements with a “50 Year Legacy” Award. This honor is a testament to her unwavering commitment and tireless efforts that have had a lasting impact on asthma care in Canada. 

Our Mission and Vision 

Today, Asthma Canada’s mission remains clear: to help Canadians with asthma lead healthy, active lives. And our vision is even bolder—a world without asthma. 

Our work over the past five decades has been driven by three strategic pillars: Advocacy, Education, and Research. I’d like to take a moment to reflect on each of these pillars and the impact they’ve had on our community. 

Advocacy 

Asthma Canada has long been a leader in advocating for the rights of people with asthma, pushing for policies that improve access to care and protect the well-being of the asthma community.  

One key area where we’ve made a lasting impact is ensuring access to life-saving medications. Recent advances in biologic treatments have been transformative for people with severe asthma, and we’ve been at the forefront of advocating for broader access to these treatments. 

A major advocacy win for Asthma Canada was the passing of Ryan’s Law in Ontario, which ensures that all children have access to their reliever inhaler medication while at school. This law was born out of tragedy—the death of an eight-year-old boy, Ryan Gibbons, who passed away in 2012 because he couldn’t access his inhaler during a severe asthma attack. It stands as a powerful reminder of why our advocacy is so critical. 

Another major victory has been our work on clean air. Asthma Canada has played a critical role in campaigns to eliminate coal-fired electricity generation, a significant contributor to air pollution. Working alongside coalition partners, we successfully pushed for the closure of Ontario’s last coal-fired power plant in 2014, and Alberta is close to totally phasing out coal power well ahead of what was once thought to be an aggressive target of 2030. We are proud to stand with partners like Bruce Power and we are an integral part of the Green Ribbon Panel which continues to advance clean energy initiatives. These efforts not only protect the health of people with asthma but also contribute to a healthier environment for all Canadians. 

Over the past two years, we have also focused on advocating and educating people on the importance of vaccines against preventable illnesses as part of good asthma management. We also released a Delphi Consensus Study on Severe Asthma, out of which came key recommendations including enhancing collaboration with respiratory therapists and certified respiratory educators to support patients in primary care, proactively identifying uncontrolled asthma to reduce emergency visits and hospitalizations, and establishing a clear referral pathway with defined criteria and acceptable wait times for severe asthma patients to see specialists. 

Education 

Our second pillar, Education, is at the core of everything we do. Asthma, when well-controlled, is a manageable condition, allowing people to live full, active lives. But when asthma is uncontrolled, it can be debilitating and even life-threatening. 

Unfortunately, the most recent studies show that one in two people with asthma in Canada have uncontrolled asthma. That’s over two million Canadians who are not receiving the support they need to manage their condition effectively. Many do not even realize that their asthma is not well controlled. This is why our educational efforts are so critical. 

We’re dedicated to providing the tools and resources necessary to help people with asthma and their caregivers manage the condition effectively. Our website, asthma.ca, is a comprehensive hub of information, offering everything from guidance on managing triggers to advice on proper medication use. Additionally, our Asthma & Allergy HelpLine connects individuals with Certified Respiratory Educators who provide personalized support. This service has been a lifeline for many, offering advice and guidance that people often can’t get elsewhere. 

I want to share a quote from someone who contacted our HelpLine recently: “After using the HelpLine, I cried. None of my healthcare professionals have ever cared enough to explain asthma management to me. Thank you.” It’s moments like these that remind us why our work is so important. 

Research 

Finally, our third pillar is Research. Research has led to the way we manage asthma today, and research is what will shape asthma care for future generations. Our bold vision is a world without asthma, and research is the key to making that vision a reality. 

Through our National Research Program, we have invested in the work of researchers across Canada who are dedicated to improving asthma care. Over the past several years, we have funded research at both the Master’s and PhD levels. These researchers are making incredible strides in understanding asthma, discovering new treatment approaches, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in asthma care. 

I want to take this opportunity to thank them for their invaluable contributions to the asthma community. Your work is helping to move us closer to a world where asthma no longer limits lives, and for that, we are immensely grateful. 

Looking Forward 

As we celebrate 50 years of Asthma Canada, we take pride in what we’ve accomplished, but we also recognize the challenges that lie ahead. Canadians living with asthma are now facing new obstacles, including the realities of climate change and an increasingly strained healthcare system. While scientific advances have led to innovative treatments, far too many people still live with uncontrolled asthma, and tragically, several hundred Canadians die from asthma each year. 

In the next fifty years, we envision a future where asthma research leads to breakthroughs in care, where patients are fully empowered to manage their symptoms, and where consistent, high-quality asthma care is available to everyone. The role of Certified Respiratory Educators will remain critical in ensuring that each person with asthma receives the guidance they need to live symptom-free. We also remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting clean energy and better outdoor and indoor air quality.  

Together, we will continue to work with the asthma community and our partners to make this vision a reality. Every person with asthma deserves the chance to lead a full, healthy life without the limitations imposed by their condition. A life without symptoms is achievable, and with your support, we will make it happen. Please consider making a donation today. 

Thank you all for being here tonight and for your continued support. Here’s to the next fifty years—and beyond.