About Catch Your Breath
The Catch Your Breath® Women and Lung Health Initiative was inspired by the story of one woman’s struggle with lung disease. Lynn Kotsiantos lived in a suburb of Chicago, never smoked and lived a healthy lifestyle. After having tests done for a persistent cough, the mother of three was shocked to learn she had lung cancer. After a nine-month battle, she passed away in April 2003 at the age of 42.
Respiratory Health Association created Catch Your Breath® to raise awareness and funding for lung health research and programs. Catch Your Breath® advocates increased funding for research to better understand lung disease and improve treatments. The initiative also educates the public and medical professionals about the disproportionate effects of lung disease on women.
About Respiratory Health Association
Respiratory Health Association has been a public health leader since its founding in 1906 as the Chicago Tuberculosis Institute. At that time, tuberculosis was a prominent health threat in our community. As health practices and treatments, medicines, and environmental factors have evolved, so has RHA. Today we address asthma, COPD, lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, tobacco control and air quality with a comprehensive approach involving research, education, and policy change.
