Take the 31 Days of Hope Challenge
Throughout December, we invite you to consider what inspires hope in your heart during our 31 Days of Hope Challenge. What inspires hope is as individual as you are: glistening, snow-covered evergreens; a grandchild’s laughter; your favourite song; or hope for a medical breakthrough.
Share your hope
This month, we’ll provide you with daily, hope-inspiring encouragement from the CPFF community, on our social media. And, we’ve got two ways for you to share your hopeful photos and videos:
- Share photos of what brings you hope or take a photo of handwritten words of encouragement and share them with our community on our Messages of Hope Gallery.
- Use social media to share your photos and videos with family, friends and co-workers. When you post on social media to a public account, use the hashtag #hopebreatheshere.
Send someone an e-card and brighten their day
We’ve got six e-cards ready to send to someone who gives you hope, or could use some of yours. Make a donation and share hope now.
Shop with gift cards
Pay for your everyday expenses and gifts with gift cards bought from FundScrip. Each purchase automatically includes a donation to CPFF in support of people living with pulmonary fibrosis. And, since retailers consider gift cards as cash, you’ll still benefit from discounts, coupons, and loyalty rewards.
Give by December 31
Just a gentle reminder that donations must be received by December 31, 2024 to qualify for a tax receipt for 2024.
B.C. Fellow will increase patient access and is publishing two research studies
If you live in the Fraser Valley region of BC, just outside of Vancouver, you may no longer need to trek into the city to see an ILD specialist. Dr. Alec Campbell recently completed a two-year Robert Davidson CPFF Fellowship and is taking up a position with another respirologist at Surrey Memorial Hospital.
“It’s one of the fastest growing areas of the province and I’m very pleased to be joining a practice there,” says Dr. Campbell. “In addition to being more convenient for patients living in the Fraser region, it may also be closer than Vancouver for patients in other parts of the province.”
Dr. Campbell credits his mentors and colleagues at the University of British Columbia and the Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Program at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, for his increased confidence in caring for ILD patients and for expanding his research skills.
During his fellowship, Dr. Campbell undertook two complex research projects, both involving next-generation research applications. The first project investigated artificial intelligence (AI) interpretation of subtle changes in CT scans of patients with SSc-ILD (systemic sclerosis ILD). In particular, he assessed what effect the measures of inspired (inhaled air) volume can have on different AI methods of looking at disease progression. You can read more about this study in the May 2023 issue of this newsletter. The results of this work have been submitted for publication and are being peer-reviewed. We’ll let you know when the publication is released.
Dr. Campbell’s second project analyzes the genetic signatures in blood samples from patients early in their disease to determine the combinations of genes that predict particular ILD disease, risks of progression and responses to treatment.
Become a Hope Hero – donate monthly
Every breath is a victory for people living with pulmonary fibrosis and your contributions are a lifeline. As a monthly donor, your steady support helps sustain critical programs and services year-round, ensuring that no one faces this journey alone.
By joining our Hope Heroes Monthly Giving Plan, you’ll receive:
- CPFF’s monthly newsletter, “Hope Breathes Here.” Stay informed about the latest developments, patient stories, and community milestones.
- A Hope Hero t-shirt. Wear your support proudly and spark conversations about pulmonary fibrosis.
- Acknowledgement at Hope in Motion Walks across Canada. Be celebrated as a true champion of change during our nationwide events.
2025 is the best time to become a Hope Hero
When you sign up to donate a minimum of $25 a month in 2025, it will automatically double, thanks to a generous donor who will match your gift dollar for dollar. This means CPFF will receive $600 in 2025 from your $300 in total contributions during the 12 months.
Dealing with breathlessness
Do you experience shortness of breath? Do you feel that your airway is blocked by phlegm? You are not alone. Both are common symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis, but there are ways you can manage them.
In this new video, physiotherapist Grant Bainard from the Wellness Institute in Winnipeg shares practical strategies to manage shortness of breath and airway clearance techniques.
You’ll learn:
- The causes of shortness of breath
- Exercises and techniques to control breathing
- How to reduce the feeling of shortness of breath
- Devices and techniques that can help with airway clearance, such as manual percussion techniques, lying positions and more.
Five tips for enjoying the holidays with PF
- Pace yourself. While you may want to go everywhere and do everything you usually do during the holidays, be kind to yourself and space out your activities. Take time to rest, exercise, and eat right. Ask for help. Most people will be happy to assist you and you’ll both feel better.
- Plan your travels. Across town, or across the country, travel can be stressful, even when you’re healthy. Relieve some of that stress by making plans – and lists. Try not to rush – or be rushed. Don’t forget to take extra medication with you. The CPFF website has some great resources for travelling with pulmonary fibrosis, with or without oxygen.
- Protect yourself. Even before COVID-19, people with PF were advised to avoid crowds and other people with colds and flu. Consider shopping online. Wear a mask, use wipes and wash your hands frequently. Talk to your health care provider about your vaccine status.
- Connect with others. If it’s too difficult or risky to meet up with others in person, give them a phone call or have an online chat. You may have to schedule the call with busy friends, adult children, and grandchildren, but keeping in touch with loved ones, especially at the holidays, can make a difference. Remember to ask how they are doing too.
- Make memories. When you are celebrating with others, enjoy yourself. Soak up the sights, sounds, scents and tastes of the holidays. Cherish each embrace with loved ones. These are the things that make memories for everyone.