Peter Fenton
Board Chair
Erin Kuan
President & CEO
Until I was diagnosed with radon-induced lung cancer, I had no idea just how prevalent radon is in homes. I was diagnosed with stage 2 radon-induced lung cancer in 2019, and as a result, I had surgery to remove a lobe in my right lung followed by chemotherapy.
I am a young mother of three, healthy and have never smoked a day in my life. I want people to be aware that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in Canada, and that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Lung cancer from radon can be prevented and no one should have to go through what I did. I was very lucky that my cancer was caught as early as it was. Most people do not get diagnosed until their lung cancer reveals symptoms because it is at a later, more deadly stage.
In the fall of 2022, Lung Saskatchewan developed a three-year strategic plan to guide the organization's work. This comprehensive plan addresses strategies in education, research, health promotion, and advocacy. We remain focused on inclusivity and evidence-based approaches to lung health.
Lung Saskatchewan supports, collaborates with, and serves an expansive lung health community in Saskatchewan, and now reaches across Canada in the areas of health care professional education and radon.
Our communities include, but are not limited to:
With Impact, Sustainability, and REDI (reconciliation, equity, diversity and inclusion) guiding our work, we aim to achieve the following;
My health journey dates back almost 30 years; I was diagnosed with double pneumonia (a lung infection that affects both lungs) and I got quite sick. My doctor told me that I had to be careful about respiratory issues as I was more susceptible to bronchitis. I had occasions of getting bronchitis and pneumonia throughout the years. I continued to be very active most of my life and did not think my lung health was a big issue. I finally quit smoking but before then I would quit smoking on and off, as I did not consider myself a big smoker. This was a big mistake as even one cigarette can be too many.
Our long-standing partnership with AstraZeneca in professional education exemplifies our influence beyond provincial borders. In 2023, we celebrated the milestone of 20 years of AstraZeneca's sponsorship of the RESPTREC Webinar Series. This collaboration has allowed Lung Saskatchewan to host webinars on various lung health topics presented by key opinion leaders from across the country. These webinars empower respiratory educators and RESPTREC alumni to provide evidence-informed, patient-focused care. We thank AstraZeneca for their continued partnership.
Lung Saskatchewan and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) have a longstanding partnership dedicated to improving the lives of individuals affected by lung disease. In 2023, we celebrated GSK's third year sponsoring the Lung Life Webinar Series. This series brings together experts in their fields, all driven by the singular purpose of empowering those affected by lung disease to live better lives.
Our ongoing work with Indigenous Peoples provides us with the opportunity to engage with and learn from Indigenous leadership. We recognize that Indigenous Peoples face a lack of health services and experience anti-Indigenous racism within health systems. In the spirit of truth and reconciliation, we are committed to learning and demonstrating how to provide optimal care for Indigenous Peoples. We are grateful to Boehringer Ingelheim for sponsoring the Indigenous Care in Health Webinar Series for the second year, which supports our mission to address these critical issues.
Breathing Space will be a ‘home-away-from-home’, providing a safe place to prepare for and recover from lung transpant surgery.
Although a lung transplant can offer hope, it often involves a complex journey. Saskatchewan residents must travel to Edmonton, the nearest of only four transplant centers in Canada for lung transplant surgeries. The extensive travel and out-of-pocket expenses, covering both pre- and post-transplant periods, can be overwhelming and often last 3 to 12 months or longer.
Lung Saskatchewan and Alberta Lung are forming a prairie alliance on the Breathing Space project in Edmonton—a haven designed to provide respite, comfort, and specialized care for patients and their families navigating the challenges of a lung transplant journey. This innovative facility will be the first of its kind in Western Canada.
We were pleased to host fourteen students from Saskatchewan Polytechnic and two students from the University of Saskatchewan for their community-based rotation. The students worked on programs such as Youth4Change, Saskatchewan Quits, RESPTREC, inhaler delivery devices (IDD) resources, and various community engagement events. We appreciate their hard work and dedication and are grateful for our collaboration with their schools.
In tandem with our partners, including the Office of the Treaty Commissioner (OTC), the University of Saskatchewan (USask), the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR), the Provincial Archives, the University of Regina (U of R), and other collaborators across Canada, we continue to strive to make information accessible to all who may be searching for information about a loved one. Lung Saskatchewan is pleased to host quarterly advisory group meetings in order to advance our efforts and ensure a coordinated approach to addressing the historical impact of tuberculosis in residential schools. We are grateful to Sask Culture – Multi-Cultural Initiatives fund for their support of this project.
Lung Saskatchewan President & CEO Erin Kuan, and Program Coordinator David Schwinghammer, meet with The Honourable Yvonne Boyer, Senator, to discuss the historical impact of TB in residential schools.
Youth4Change (Y4C) is a community-oriented program focused on youth engagement, knowledge, and awareness in Saskatchewan schools, with a priority on First Nations youth. Y4C training encourages young people to make informed decisions about tobacco and vapor products while developing leadership skills and contributing to positive community change.
We extend our gratitude to the Public Health Agency of Canada for three years of support, which enabled Youth4Change to achieve—and surpass—many of its goals in tobacco education, prevention, cessation, and advocacy. During this funding period, Y4C reached over 1,100 youth and 170 adults through education and advocacy efforts at 16 unique sites across the province. We also had the opportunity to build valuable connections with many Saskatchewan partners.
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The Take Action on Radon Saskatchewan Coalition, chaired by Lung Saskatchewan, continues to conduct radon education, awareness, and advocacy work in the province. All 51 coalition members were invited to attend an in-person meeting on September 27, 2023, in Saskatoon. Members traveled from across Saskatchewan, as did our national partners from British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba. During the meeting, coalition members shared updates on their radon-related work, and we brainstormed and discussed our radon priorities for 2024 and beyond.
Throughout 2023, we partnered with various coalition members to host a booth at the Saskatoon HomeStyles Home Show, launch radon library lending programs, create awareness campaigns, and analyze radon test kits. We deeply appreciate the continued dedication of our coalition members—from lung cancer ambassadors to radon mitigators and lung health advocates—in advancing radon advocacy, awareness, and education across Saskatchewan.
Lung Saskatchewan supported the Saskatoon Public Library and Palliser Regional Library in launching their radon library lending program by providing radon information to include in their kits, along with a special discount on long-term tests. These library lending programs allow patrons to borrow an electronic radon monitor at no cost, enabling them to obtain an instant reading of radon levels in their homes. Supporting radon library lending programs across the province is an excellent first step in protecting the people of Saskatchewan from radon.
Lung Saskatchewan completed a three-year funding agreement with Health Canada through their Radon Outreach Contribution Program. We thank Health Canada for the crucial funding that greatly supported Lung Saskatchewan in raising awareness of and providing education on radon in Saskatchewan. Health Canada's contributions enabled the Take Action on Radon Saskatchewan Coalition to carry out various radon initiatives across the province. As radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, we are grateful for our partnership with Health Canada, which helps us protect the people of Saskatchewan.
Since 2018, Lung Saskatchewan has partnered with the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) to fund lung health research in Saskatchewan, committing one million dollars over five years. This collaboration empowers us to address the most relevant and crucial respiratory issues in the province, funding 15 projects across various areas of lung health research. In addition to our partnership with SHRF, Lung Saskatchewan also supports many other Saskatchewan researchers and their teams.
Oleg Dmitriev
Franco Vizecoumar
Andrew Freywald
Mohan Babu
Anas El-Aneed
Darryl Adamko
Aneesh Thakur
Azita Haddadi
Shelley Kirychuk
Kerry McPhedran
Lori Bradford
Wanda Martin
In partnership with Saskatchewan Blue Cross, we launched a new long-COVID website to support individuals in Saskatchewan dealing with this condition. The website offers resources on treatments, prevention strategies, self-management, and more.
www.lungsask.ca/long-covid
The Respiratory Training and Educator Course (RESPTREC®) remains one of Canada's leading training agencies for health professionals pursuing Certified Asthma Educator (CAE) and Certified Respiratory Educator (CRE) designations. RESPTREC continues to respond to a national need for advanced training in respiratory diseases like asthma, COPD, and pulmonary fibrosis, as well as a need for skills training in spirometry and spirometry interpretation.
www.resptrec.org
Lung Saskatchewan is proud to be a trusted and credible resource for patients, caregivers and health professionals. Through the generous support of our industry partners and the collaborative efforts of our key opinion leaders, we deliver a diverse range of webinars focused on improving lung health.
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Lung Saskatchewan's online communities offer a platform for individuals with lung disease, their loved ones, and caregivers to ask questions, share stories, and provide peer support. Coordinated by certified health professionals from Lung Saskatchewan, members receive timely information, resources, and guidance to support their lung health journey.
The Communities of Support include Asthma, COPD, Lung Cancer, Sleep Apnea, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Lung Transplant, Saskatchewan Quits (smoking cessation), and COVID-19. These platforms feature educational meetings, with topics shaped by the needs and feedback of the community. In 2023, our online membership grew to 755 members.
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“Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances on Earth, so quitting smoking is really tough. Just knowing that I can reach out and have support—whether it's from 4, 10, or even 40 people saying, ‘You've got this!’–means a lot. They've never met me before, they don't know me, but they believe in me.”
— Lesley M., Regina
In 2023, the Lung Helpline remained dedicated to supporting individuals affected by lung health issues and lung disease. We saw significant growth in usage, with calls increasing from 235 in 2021 to 278 in 2022 and reaching 308 in 2023. This upward trend demonstrates our growing impact and commitment to the community.
Our third annual Saskatchewan Quit Smoking Challenge took place from December 4, 2023 to January 31, 2024. Participants received cessation resources, motivation, education, and the chance to win prizes! The challenge is run through our Sask Quits Facebook group and is designed to support Saskatchewan residents who want to quit or cut back on smoking.
We are grateful for the 620+ members of the Facebook Support Group and the 563 participants from 170 unique Saskatchewan communities who registered for the 2023-2024 challenge. The inspiring quit journeys and supportive messages shared among members were truly uplifting. Of the 100 participants who completed the pre-and post-surveys, 71% met their goal of either cutting back or quitting smoking, and 42% successfully quit smoking. To read more about the results of this challenge, please review our Impact Report [PDF]. The Sask Quits Facebook group continues to provide support and resources to the community year-round.
Special thanks to our title sponsor, Nicorette, our partners—Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan, and SaskTel TelCare—and our community ambassadors, Dale, Rhonda, and Lesley, for supporting Saskatchewan residents on their quit journeys!
Participants
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After piloting the kNOw Vaping Resources in 2022, the resources were shared with schools across Saskatchewan. These resources for Grades 4-6 and 7-9 classrooms consist of five chapters. Each chapter includes a video and accompanying activities for students and aligns with Health Curricular Outcomes. Teachers can deliver the chapters together or as stand-alone lessons. The resources are adaptable, easy to implement, online friendly, and available in both French and English.
Do you know a teacher in Saskatchewan who may be interested in offering vaping education in their classroom? Be sure to share this link!
Lung Saskatchewan actively participated in the National Lung Health Alliance, uniting with colleagues across Canada to advocate for critical lung health issues, including COPD, vaping regulations, and air quality. Our delegation visited Ottawa to engage Members of Parliament in discussions, promoting the #TakeAction4LungHealth campaign. This collaboration resulted in meaningful dialogue with MPs nationwide, reinforcing our commitment to fostering a smoke-free generation and protecting youth from the risks of vaping.
The National Lung Health Alliance includes members from lung health organizations and ambassadors from across Canada working to improve lung health access and support for all Canadians.
Robert Kitchen, Member of Parliament, Souris-Moose Mountain, Saskatchewan, with National Lung Health Alliance members.
In May 2023, Youth4Change hosted a Youth Advocacy Event in Regina to push for stronger tobacco and vaping regulations in Saskatchewan. After months of preparation, we brought together youth and adult allies from Saskatoon, Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation, Piapot Cree Nation, Regina, Fort Qu'Appelle, and Melfort. The event on May 15 included speech practice, poster presentations, team bonding activities, a Q&A session with then Minister of Health Paul Merriman, and a surprise appearance by three Saskatchewan Roughrider Alumni.
Youth4Change returned to the Saskatchewan Legislature in November 2023 to witness the unanimous passing of the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Amendment Act (Bill 147) by the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly. The bill increases the minimum age for purchasing tobacco and vaping products and introduces more stringent regulations on advertising.
These changes will help keep tobacco and vaping products out of the hands of Saskatchewan youth and align the minimum purchase age with that of alcohol and cannabis products in our province.
Youth4Change returned to the Saskatchewan in November of 2023, to witness the unanimous passing of the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Amendment Act (Bill 147) by the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly. Bill 147 will increase the minimum age to purchase tobacco and vaping products from 18 to 19 as well as cracking down on advertising and promotion of vapour products to help protect the province's youth.
These changes will help keep tobacco and vaping products out of the hands of Saskatchewan youth. As well, this brings the purchase age into alignment with alcohol and cannabis products in our province.
Breathing is what unites and inspires us to fund essential support programs, services, and medical equipment to improve lung health for patients and their primary caregivers. Additionally, the Caring Breaths program supported Saskatchewan residents who have undergone radon mitigation. Eligible applicants received reimbursements of up to $500 in 2023, except for patients and their caregivers on a lung transplant journey, who received up to $1,000. Thanks to the support of Conexus Credit Union, our Caring Breaths Financial Assistance Program provided $20,000 in reimbursement costs to help 68 families breathe easier in 2023.
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Lung Saskatchewan was able to support many people in 2023 including Bob and Roxy.
Lung Saskatchewan's contract with the Government of Saskatchewan for the Saskatchewan Aids to Independent Living (SAIL) program has been renewed for three years, extending until 2026. This program ensures that individuals in need of nocturnal oxygen receive proper testing, conducted by trained health professionals. This renewal underscores our commitment to improving respiratory health across the province.
I was raised at Fort Qu'Appelle Sanatorium, a former sanatorium for the treatment of tuberculosis. l now live in Regina on Treaty 4 territory and the homeland of the Michif people. I am a white appearing, Métis Nation - Saskatchewan citizen.
My parents, Frank Froh and Peggy Marchand met at a party held near Fort San in 1955. They got married in 1956 and soon they were raising children on the grounds of a working tuberculosis hospital. Immediately following a three-year confinement and treatment for tuberculosis, Frank started working for Dr. George Ferguson in 1945, which became a lifelong career with the Saskatchewan Anti-Tuberculosis League. In 1952, Frank became the League's Secretary responsible for multiple, mass tuberculosis surveys that covered Saskatchewan in the 1950s and 1960s. After graduating from Regina's Grey Nun's Hospital School of Nursing in 1953, Peggy worked as a registered nurse in hospitals located in St. Boniface, Prince Albert, and Pine Falls before accepting a tuberculosis nurse position in 1955 at Fort San.
To sustain our programs' quality, breadth, and engagement, we recognize the importance of diversifying our revenue sources. This strategy has enabled us to continue delivering impactful work and providing resources and programs to improve lung health in our province.
We continued to build our raffle and share inspiring stories through direct mail campaigns. Every breath tells a story, and at Lung Saskatchewan, we are dedicated to rewriting those stories for the better. In 2023, we featured the stories of eight lung ambassadors who courageously shared their extraordinary experiences to educate, inspire, and encourage others on their lung health journey.
We also successfully launched the SaskatcheWIN 50/50 raffle in the summer, bringing the total number of raffles to three. All funds raised support vital research, advocacy, education, and patient support programs to improve lung health in Saskatchewan.
For the first time since 2020, we had four third-party events organized by volunteers to generate funds and raise awareness about lung health in Saskatchewan.
We held our inaugural Cabaret fundraising event, featuring a diverse lineup of performances including song, dance, and comedy. The evening provided spectacular entertainment and delicious food, cocktails, and mocktails, alongside inspiring stories and engaging photo stations. This event was a key effort to engage new audiences and partners in Saskatchewan. We deeply appreciate our guests, sponsors, entertainers, and Lung Saskatchewan supporters for making it a success. Thank you for helping us shine a spotlight on lung health!
In 2023, Lung Saskatchewan continued to strengthen its revenue streams and mitigate financial risk. We did this through:
Lung Saskatchewan is committed to being an employer of choice with competitive compensation, including comprehensive health benefits and retirement plans. We support work-life balance by offering hybrid work options and ample paid time off, including vacation, sick days, and bonus days.
We invest in career development through training and professional growth opportunities. Throughout the year, our staff participated in workshops, conferences, and training, and took part in a group volunteer activity and a staff retreat, underscoring our commitment to teamwork and community engagement.
Our inclusive culture celebrates diversity, ensuring every employee feels valued and respected. We foster a positive work environment through supportive collaboration, open communication, and regular recognition. Employee well-being is a priority, with mental health support and health resources readily available.
In 2023, several enhancements were introduced to elevate the learning experience, reinforcing RESPTREC's status as a leading training agency in the sector. We also began a website refresh to introduce a modern look and feel that better reflects RESPTREC's connection with Lung Saskatchewan.
Our Fall Impact Luncheon was a resounding success, celebrating remarkable contributions to lung health across various communities. The event united staff, board members, lung ambassadors, healthcare professionals, corporate partners, and the families of award recipients to honor lung health champions. We commend the award recipients for their steadfast dedication to improving lung health in Saskatchewan. Thank you for making a significant difference!
We upgraded the user interface and experience (UI/UX) across all Lung Saskatchewan's web platforms to provide more seamless and intuitive navigation. This enhancement simplifies access to resources, webinars, and lung health information.
We strive to engage with individuals in the way that best suits their preferences—whether through email, phone calls, newsletters, or physical mail. This approach ensures optimal use of our resources.
My name is Bob, and I am writing to share my personal journey with pulmonary fibrosis (a lung disease that scars and thickens lung tissues)—from the shocking diagnosis that left me in disbelief to the struggles with breathing and a life-changing lung transplant.
At Lung Saskatchewan, we work to honour the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action to foster reconciliation and healing, specifically honoring calls to action #18-24, #57, and #69. Our efforts include:
We provided culturally sensitive and affirmative care training through webinars in 2023, including:
We are grateful for our growing collaborations in Treaty 4 and Treaty 6. These partnerships support education on the differences between commercial and sacred tobacco, the harmful effects of tobacco and vaping on youth, and the Tuberculosis and Residential Schools project in particular. Additionally, we were pleased to offer training to our staff and leadership volunteers on understanding land acknowledgment, anti-racism, and reconciliation as well as the opportunity to participate in a variety of community events.
Lung Saskatchewan supports all people with lungs. We are committed to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace as well as in the communities we serve. We strive to do this through:
We remain dedicated to supporting and reflecting the diverse needs of the communities we serve.
My stepdad, Rod, was diagnosed with lung cancer at the age of 57 and sadly passed away within two months of his diagnosis. That period was confusing for everyone since he had lived a very healthy life. I was diagnosed with lung cancer five years later, and that's when I connected the dots—we had both lived in the same home!
After my surgery, my doctor inquired about my smoking history, to which I replied that I had never smoked. He also asked about exposure to chemicals, but the answer was a resounding no. Then, he brought up the question of whether I had grown up in a home with radon, a term I had never heard before. This inquiry marked the beginning of my journey.
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | ||
| Development | 1,235,343 | 884,080 |
| Grants & Subsidies | 632,362 | 744,127 |
| Health Promotion Programs | 416,802 | 455,305 |
| Professional Education | 245,409 | 266,905 |
| Contracts | 132,648 | 113,737 |
| Other Income | 120,502 | 127,660 |
| 2,783,069 | 2,591,814 | |
| Expenses | ||
| Programs | ||
| Health Promotion | 933,460 | 1,054,850 |
| Professional Education | 710,863 | 697,747 |
| Development & Campaigns | 791,399 | 632,200 |
| Operations & Building | 332,489 | 295,217 |
| Research & Grants | 100,049 | 107,701 |
| Contract Services | 97,840 | 94,938 |
| 2,966,100 | 2,882,653 | |
| Excess (deficiency) of revenue over expenses | (183,031) | (290,839) |
Our work to improve respiratory health takes place across Saskatchewan, the territories covered by Treaties 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10 – the traditional lands of the Cree, Saulteaux, Dene, Dakota, Lakota, Nakota, and Métis nations. We recognize and respect the diverse histories, cultures, and continued presence of these Indigenous peoples. We are grateful for the opportunity to live, work, and learn on this land.