Celebrating Asthma's Heroes and Heroines

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 30, 2009) – Kentucky Children’s Hospital and Kohl's at Hamburg Place in Lexington, Ky. will celebrate the Asthma Heroes and Heroines from 4 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 8 in Kohl's parking lot.

Kentucky Children's Hospital and Kohl's are continuing a partnership to battle pediatric asthma and allow kids to live more normal, healthy lives.  To date, Kohl's has donated almost $300,000 to Kentucky Children's Hospital.

To celebrate Kohl’s generosity and continued support, the partners are throwing a "heroic" bash in honor of all courageous children living with asthma. During the event there will be appearances by local community heroes including Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry, members of the Lexington Division of Fire and Emergency Services and their Challenge Team fire squad, an dmembers of the Lexington Division of Police and their Mobile Command Post.  In addition, there will be Kentucky Children’s Hospital ambulance tours, inflatables, face painting, crafts, games and prizes and much more. 

"For the fourth year running Kohl’s and Kentucky Children’s Hospital together are striving to prevent, treat and fight pediatric asthma," said Loralyn Cecil, community relations manager, Kentucky Children's Hospital. "According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, asthma affects nearly 5 million children in the United States, resulting in three million physician visits and 200,000 hospitalizations each year. Thanks to the support of Kohl’s, hopefully the numbers here will decrease significantly and those children will miss fewer school days and spend more time living normal lives."

"I want to thank Kohl's for the wonderful job they do in providing community support for an important issue in Kentucky – asthma," said Dr. Don Hayes, assistant professor of pediatrics and internal medicine, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, and a pediatric pulmonologist at Kentucky Children's Hospital. "We are only able to do this through projects that are supported by caring organizations like Kohl's.

"This event is an effort to honor the courageous boys and girls living with asthma. Not only as a physician, but also as an individual living with asthma, I can truly appreciate the support and continue to provide excellent care to these children. Thanks to Kohl’s, Kentucky Children’s Hospital is able to teach more children how to manage their illness and continue a more normal and happy childhood."

Children may come dressed as their favorite hero or heroine. The best dressed will win a prize at the celebration.

For more information, contact Loralyn Cecil at (859) 257-1106 or laceci2@uky.edu.