American Lung Association in Maine Will Honor Local Leaders in Lung Health

American Lung Association in Maine Will Honor Local Leaders in Lung Health and Feature a Keynote Address on E- Cigs and Other New Tobacco Products , Oct. 18

Individuals, Organizations Making a Difference in Lung Health Will be Honored at Awards Luncheon; Keynote Speaker, Dennis Henigan, Director of Policy Analysis and Research, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids 

What: American Lung Association in Maine’s Annual Awards Luncheon to be immediately followed by a keynote address by Dennis Henigan, Director of Policy Analysis and Research for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. He will discuss what the FDA is and is not doing to address electronic cigarettes and other emerging tobacco products.
When: Friday, October 18. Awards luncheon begins at 11 a.m., keynote at approximately 12:45. The event will conclude by 2:00 p.m.
Where: Abromson Community Education Center, University of Southern Maine, Portland
Who:  The American Lung Association of the Northeast will honor 6 individuals and organizations for their commitment to protecting lung health in Maine.  2013 Honorees are as follows:
·         Smokefree Award:  Breathe Easy Coalition (Portland)
·         Youth Advocacy Award:  Maliseet Indians, Passamaquoddy Tribe of Indian Township, Passamaquoddy Tribe of Pleasant Point and Penobscot Nation, “The Photo Voice Project”
·         Youth Advocacy Award: The Maine Youth Action Network
·         Patient Advocacy Award:  Cover ME Now Coalition
·         Healthy Air Leadership Award:   King Middle School, 2012-2013 6th Grade Students  (Portland)
·         Roselle Huddilston Award:  Lisa Letourneau, MD, MPH, FACP, Executive Director, Maine Quality Counts (Portland)

Why: Since 1957, the American Lung Association in Maine has recognized an individual who has demonstrated excellence and commitment to the people of Maine in preventing lung disease and promoting lung health with the prestigious Roselle Huddilston award. This award is named after a past president who was an exceptional volunteer dedicated to improving the health of Maine people.  The Lung Association has since expanded its awards program to recognize organizations and other individuals whose leadership and advocacy have been crucial to advancing our mission here in Maine.
In recent years the luncheon has featured a keynote address that focuses on a major public policy issue.  This year the focus will be on the expansion of electronic cigarettes and other new tobacco products and what the FDA is and isn’t doing about them.

How:  The event is open to the public. A limited number of tickets are available for purchase at $25 per person. To register, visit LungNE.org.  For more information or to register by phone, contact Michelle Edwards at 207.624.0304
Note to editors:  The media is invited and encouraged to attend.  There will be opportunities to interview, film and photograph honorees and the keynote speaker as well as spokespersons from the Lung Association.