Catch your breath: A little awareness is eye opening

It takes hearing the stories of others to realize that we do not have it so bad. I am lucky to have a loving husband and family, a rewarding career, and, above all, my health. Lynn Kotsiantos also seemed to have it all, and those who knew and loved her were surprised to find out the one thing she did not have: her health. Lynn, at 42 years of age, lost her nine-month battle with lung cancer in April 2003. She was a non-smoker and, by outside appearances, very healthy. Lynn left her husband to care for their three small children.

How Lynn was affected with this deadly disease is perplexing. Additionally, the facts about lung disease and women are astounding: more than half of the one million people in metropolitan Chicago suffering from lung disease are women; lung cancer kills more women than breast, ovarian and cervical cancer combined; more women die from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease than men; and, in 2000, 65 percent of asthma deaths occurred in women. (American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago). While these facts may be shocking, even more so is the fact that very little money is dedicated to researching why these facts are true and developing treatments to address the disease.

Dr. Laura Rogers, a Chicago allergist and personal friend to Lynn, was also perplexed by the loss of her friend, the increase in the number of women affected by lung disease, and the fact that very little is being done in the form of research and the development of treatments. Therefore, Dr. Rogers decided to do something about it: she approached the American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago and proposed a women's lung health conference. Out of her loss and frustration was born the Catch Your Breath Women and Lung Health Conference and Luncheon, with the goal of raising awareness, increasing money for research and eradicating the social stigma that is often associated with lung disease.

In May 2004, Dr. Rogers asked me to serve on a committee to plan the first annual conference and luncheon. Since I was relatively new to the Chicago community, I viewed the committee as an opportunity to make a connection with others--others outside of my law firm and the legal community. When friends and colleagues asked me what I was doing on the committee, I often wondered what I could possibly add to the planning. At the time, I did not realize the impact such an event would have on me personally.

Over the ensuing six months, the committee and subcommittees met on a regular basis and, after several months of planning, the first annual conference and luncheon was held on November 10, 2004, at the Marriott Hotel Downtown, in Chicago. More than 350 people attended and more than $220,000 was raised for research and education programs dedicated specifically to women and lung disease.

The event was supported by many great people, including First Lady Patricia Blagojevich, who served as an honorary chair, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who received the Legislative Award, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and Michelle Obama. Additionally, the conference sessions were taught by many of Chicago's finest medical professionals and the research keynote was delivered by Dr. James Kiley, the Director of the Division of Lung Diseases at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health. There were also numerous celebrities, including Kathy Brock of ABC7 News, who served as the Mistress of Ceremonies, and Kaitlin Sandeno, Olympic Swimmer and four-time medalist who delivered the Keynote Speech.

What, however, was eye opening for me during the planning process, the many pre-events, and the luncheon, was to learn the facts about lung disease, something I have not had the opportunity (or the need as I previously thought) to think about, and to hear the stories of so many who have been affected, either personally or through a loved one, with lung disease. First, obviously, was the reality of the story of Lynn-a perfectly healthy young woman who lost a battle to a disease she never should have gotten. Second, was seeing the many attendees who were obviously inflicted with lung disease and attended some portion of the event to show their support for the Catch Your Breath cause. Finally, was the story of Kaitlin, who, through careful management of her asthma, has led a very active lifestyle and has won gold, two silver and bronze medals, broken the 800m freestyle relay record, and been a two-time NCAA champion.

Through these stories and observations, I now realize that lung disease is a reality; it is not just a smoker's disease and does not affect just those who do not care about their health. Additionally, my eyes have been opened to the fact that lung disease could affect me or my family and friends.

More needs to be done in the areas of research and development of treatments so that the Lynns of this world can survive and overcome, or at least manage, their diseases. In this regard, I have already committed to serving on next year's committee to plan the second annual conference and luncheon. I invite you to get involved or attend the conference and luncheon-I promise you, it will be time well spent.

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Christine L. Childers is a third-year associate at Jenner & Block, where she focuses her practice in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, general corporate counseling, and bankruptcy/ corporate restructuring.