By using Christmas Seals on the back of your holiday greetings and parcels, you are helping the one in five Canadians with breathing difficulties, like Ontario resident Lynn Pike.

Lynn, who suffered a near-fatal asthma attack a few years ago, understands the importance of managing her asthma and credits The Lung Association with helping her get her disease under control. As The Lung Association's 2009 Christmas Seals ambassador, Lynn is excited about this year's campaign and wants to encourage Canadians to keep the 100-year old tradition alive this season.

"I am so grateful to be spending the holidays with my family after the biggest asthma attack I ever had nearly took my life," says Lynn, mom of two young boys. "The holiday season is about remembering what's important in life. For me, it's being a mom and making sure my asthma is well controlled so I get to see my boys grow up."

The Lung Association began its Christmas Seals campaign back in 1908 to help eradicate tuberculosis. While tuberculosis today is not the health threat it once was, lung disease in Canada is on the rise. Asthma rates continue to climb, particularly amongst children and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is expected to be the third leading cause of death in Canada in a few short years. As well, the link between air quality and lung disease is becoming more evident, with 21,000 Canadians expected to die each year from the effects of air pollution[i].

Donations to the Christmas Seal campaign go towards patient education and support for lung diseases like asthma, COPD and lung cancer. Donations fund research into better treatments, and, hopefully, cures. And donations support programs that help smokers quit, improve air quality and educate Canadians about lung health.

For more information on Christmas Seals or lung health, call 1-866-333-4045, or click here to make a donation.