$200K Donation Will Support Respiratory Care on CF, Other Lung Disorders

The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) has launched “CHOOSE ONE: Every Breath Counts Campaign,” a fundraising initiative intended to protect and improve the lives of people who need respiratory care, such as those with lung diseases like cystic fibrosis (CF).

This year, more than $200,000 will be donated by respiratory care specialists to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the American Lung Association, and the Allergy & Asthma Network.

“With many thanks to the 42,000 respiratory care practitioners who participated this year, we are honored to present these much-needed funds to our 2020 beneficiaries,” Lori Tinkler, CEO at NBRC, said in a press release. “Together, we share a common goal, and it’s so uplifting to unite around that shared purpose through this campaign.”

That common goal is to save and improve lives.

NBRC seeks to promote high-quality respiratory patient care by granting credentials (licenses) to respiratory care specialists. Physicians pay a credentialing fee and their skills are assessed through rigorous examinations. Credentials are earned according to practitioners’ excellence across several areas of patient care.

In this give-back initiative, licensed respiratory specialists are encouraged to choose a patient advocacy organization to receive a part of their annual credentialing fees. The NBRC then donates the funds and selects three new organizations for the following year.

“Elevating awareness and giving back are two very important ways we are working to ensure everyone has access to the care they need to breathe easy again, now and for years to come,” Tinkler said.

This initiative will enable providers to make a difference in helping to fund research and patient advocacy in specific fields of respiratory care.

“Now more than ever, the world needs more respiratory care heroes,” Tinkler said.

The 2021 edition of the “CHOOSE ONE: Every Breath Counts Campaign” is now open and about 590 credentialed practitioners have already contributed since Oct. 13. National Sleep Foundation, the COPD Foundation and the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation will be next year’s beneficiaries of the campaign.

In addition to this initiative, the NBRC also is involved in supporting scholarships and research grants, as well as providing knowledge and experience in meetings and events countrywide.

The goal of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation — one of this year’s beneficiary — is to cure cystic fibrosis and to provide all patients with the disease the opportunity to lead long and fulfilling lives. The foundation supports the CF community and also funds research and drug development efforts, advancing high-quality, specialized care.