The Asthma Society of Ireland, established in 1973, is a voluntary association of people with asthma and parents. Supported by an advisory medical committee of health professionals, it is the main national provider of information on asthma in Ireland.

Purpose and Vision
The purpose of the Asthma Society is to provide information, advice and reassurance to people with asthma and their families, to act as advocate/representative for them, and to promote awareness and understanding of the condition amongst the general public. The Society is working towards a situation where people with asthma can realise their full potential, and not to be at a disadvantage healthwise, socially or financially because of their asthma.

The role of the Asthma Society
The Society’s primary role is that of information-giver and educator. It also has a role in advocacy and in representing its members’ interests in policy-making forums at national and European level.

Aims of the Asthma Society
- Better asthma control so that all children and adults with asthma can reach their full potential in terms of leading a normal active life
- A reduction in asthma deaths
- To promote medical research into asthma
- To have asthma placed higher on the political agenda at national and EU levels.

Background to the Asthma Society
The Asthma Society was founded in 1973. At the time it was founded, it was estimated that asthma affected 100,000-175,000 people in Ireland. Far from decreasing, the prevalence has rapidly increased. Latest estimates are that there are over 470,000 people with one form of asthma or another. This means that, when carers and families are taken into consideration, large numbers of the Irish population are affected directly or indirectly, by the condition.

Services provided
Our main aim is to make people aware that asthma is controllable, that children and adults affected by asthma can and should be able to lead healthy, active lives and to encourage their determination to achieve this. Membership is free for the first year then a small subscription fee applies. We use all available tools to inform all interested in asthma:

- The Asthma helpline is a telephone information and advice service staffed by specialist asthma nurses. This is available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 10:00am to 1pm.

- Membership covers the Asthma Society News, which is filled with information on various aspects of asthma as well as reports on events organised by the Society and its branches.

- Patient information materials – leaflets, fact sheets, newsletters, dealing with various aspects of the treatment and management of asthma are available. The information is free, the cost of post and packaging is appreciated.

- The Asthma Society’s website is at www.asthmasociety.ie

- Asthma Information Days are held in Dublin and regionally to provide specialist information and advice to large numbers of people with asthma and their families.

- Specialist nurse services are provided for public meetings.

- Seminars and events, such as the Asthma Awareness Campaign are organised throughout the year, in particular around World Asthma Day in May.

- As part of membership, some Peak Flow Meters (PFM) are available at a special low price.

- The Asthma Society provides Intermediate Level Study Days on Asthma for nurses. These are run by our asthma nurse specialist and are An Bord Altranais approved.

- The Asthma Society funds research into asthma in Ireland.

- Strength in numbers is important – the more people that join the Society, the more powerful our government lobby will be on issues affecting people who have asthma.

Additional Information about the Asthma Society
The Asthma Society is an independent charity registered in Dublin as a non-profit Company No: 57125, limited by guarantee and having no share capital. For the purpose of section 486A of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997 our Authorisation serial number is 0088. Our Charity Number is Chy 6100.

Asthma Society contacts
CEO: Sharon Cosgrove
Asthma nurse: Frances Guiney
Chairperson: Angela Edghill

The Asthma Society is based at:
42-43 Amiens Street, Dublin 1
Phone 01-817 8886
Email: office@asthmasociety.ie
Website: www.asthmasociety.ie

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