Kim and Jamie are parents of an amazing 9-year-old girl, Skylar.  Skylar is an extremely active Holiday Park third grader who suffers from severe asthma. She was diagnosed at the age of 2 and has been on controller medications ever since. Though her battle with the disease is a difficult one, she does not let it control her life. She remains active in school and church. She plays softball and chose to get involved as a “spokeschild” for the American Lung Association. Because of her, the Hicks have become involved with the Lung Association and its efforts to help millions of children and adults, one breath at a time.

The Hicks moved to Pittsburgh and were instantly referred to a wonderful asthma and allergy Doctor in Monroeville who really helped them to understand Skylar’s asthma. Through education they learned that lung disease is the number three killer in America, responsible for 1 in 6 deaths.  Lung disease and other breathing problems constitute one of the leading causes of deaths in babies younger than 1 year of age.  Today more than 35 million Americans are living with chronic lung disease such as asthma and COPD.  Asthma is the number one cause of school absences, totaling 12.8 million lost school days each year in the U.S.  The Hicks sometimes struggle getting Skylar’s school and family to understand what she deals with on a daily basis.

Skylar uses two inhalers to help her with her asthma.  If a dose is missed it puts Skylar at risk.  To put it in perspective, it would be like driving your car without a seat belt and leaving you life to chance because of ignorance.

The Hicks became involved with the American Lung Association through Jamie’s work at Respironics.  They visited the website often for information and facts. They participated in the Asthma Walk and Climb Pittsburgh at the Gulf Tower.  They continue to be involved because of the wonderful work the Lung Association does in funding research and education.  They are committed to fighting lung disease and promoting lung health.