Asthma walkers remember Ryan

Ryan Dentinger was 9 years old when a severe asthma attack took his life in 2003.

Today, his parents, along with hundreds of other people, have made it their mission to educate people about the dangers of asthma and to help raise funds for research and, with hope, some day a cure.

The Ryan J. Dentinger Memorial Asthma Walk is the response of Ryan's parents, Paul and Christie Dentinger, his younger sister, Ashley, an Anna Middle School student, along with hundreds of family members and friends. They join forces every year for the walk and Basket Bingo, which are the major fundraisers of the RD Rockets, the team in the fight against asthma in Ryan's memory.

The Ryan J. Dentinger Memorial Asthma Walk 2010 will be held Sept. 19 with registration at 1 p.m., and the walk beginning at 2 p.m. The walk is approximately two miles long and will take place at the Anna Community Park.

"The mission of the walk is to raise funds for asthma research, awareness and education, in memory of our son, Ryan Dentinger, who died of a severe asthma attack in 2003 at the age of 9," Christie said.

Ryan would have been a junior at Anna High School this fall.

Last year approximately 200 people walked in the fundraiser, and more than $12,300 was raised for the cause.

Since the walk began in 2004, the RD Rockets team has raised more than $48,000 for the American Lung Association of the Midland States through fundraising activities.

The money from the Ryan J. Dentinger Memorial Asthma Walk is donated solely for asthma research to help find a cure, education in schools and also to raise awareness of the seriousness of the disease.

The American Lung Association works with people with many types of lung disease.

Providing entertainment for the walk will be Joe Laber of Hits 105.5, who will broadcast live during the event.

The Anna Rocket cheerleaders will have face painting and hair beading available for donations, and they will also perform a cheer and dance to kick off the walk.

The Anna High School FCCLA will have a booth at the event and will help to raise funds.

The RD Rockets/Asthma team will have T-shirts available for $10 each, with the proceeds going to the American Lung Association.

There will be free hot dogs, potato chips and water available for those participating in the walk.

Christie provided some facts for those who may not realize the severity of asthma: Every day, 40,000 people miss school or work due to asthma, 30,000 people have an asthma attack, 1,000 people are admitted to the hospital due to asthma and 11 people die from asthma.

The American Lung Association provided the following facts:

-About 11.5 million Ohioans are affected by lung disease.

-Close to 1 million people in Ohio have asthma - out of those, 235,000 are kids.

-11 people die every day in America from asthma.

-Ohio is the home to one of only 18 asthma clinical research centers in the country. The American Lung Association Asthma Clinical Research Centers (ACRC) network is the nation's largest not-for-profit network of clinical research centers dedicated to asthma treatment research. The ACRC conducts clinical trials.

-Asthma 1-2-3 is a one-hour in-service program designed to teach basic asthma knowledge to school, day care and other community personnel to improve the lives of children living with asthma. Facilitator training and certification are available to all health educators, nurses or respiratory therapists with advanced training in asthma education who are willing to work with schools and the community.

-Open Airways for Schools is a program that educates and empowers children through a fun and interactive approach to asthma self-management. It teaches children with asthma ages 8-11 how to detect the warning signs of asthma and avoid triggers.

Open Airways for Schools instructors must complete a training workshop conducted by the American Lung Association.

Tara Anderson, development manager for the American Lung Association of the Midland States Columbus office said, "Most people do not realize the severity of asthma. Currently, there is not a cure for asthma, but it can be controlled, and that's why there is an urgency to raise funds to continue asthma research and education. Research and education save lives."

In order to learn more about the Ryan J. Dentinger Memorial Asthma Walk, go online to www.MidlandLung.org/walk.