Lieutenant Governor Gregory R. Francis and Second Lady Cheryl Francis recently held a press conference to launch a territorial asthma awareness program, Helping Virgin Islanders Breathe Easier (H.V.I.B.E.).   They were joined by Health Commissioner Vivian Ebbesen-Fludd, asthma and allergy specialist Dr. Audria Thomas, and Leonard Reed, president of the Virgin Islands American Lung Association.  Monife Stout, Public Relations Officer for the Department of Human Services, represented Commissioner Christopher Finch.  A proclamation in support of Helping Virgin Islanders Breathe Easier was issued by Governor John deJongh.

The Lieutenant Governor spoke about the impact of asthma, a chronic disease with no known cause or cure, on our lifestyles and communities.  “Asthma impacts our families and communities,” he said.  “It affects employers when their employees cannot work, and families when the children are to ill to go to school.”  Francis said the realities of asthma are a daily presence at the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.  Simon Caines, chief policy advisor and co-Chair of the H.V.I.B.E. campaign is a lifelong asthma sufferer.  Other employees experience the trauma of an asthma attack then their children fight to take a breath.

Health Commissioner Fludd thanked the Lt. Governor for the inclusion of her agency in the  campaign.  She stated that asthma is manageable with education and encouraged asthma sufferers to know their triggers and what resources are available.  According to Dr. Audria Thomas, asthma triggers include Sahara dust, dust mites, grass, mold, emotion or smoke.  Thomas  has worked with the asthma patients of the Virgin Islands for 22 years.  The Department of Health routinely offers asthma camps and also provides weekly asthma clinics in both districts.

H.V.I.B.E. is the local component of a multi-state public health initiative of the National Lieutenant Governor’s Association called Helping America Breathe Easier.  Through the collaborative effort of its health partners, Lt. Governor and Mrs. Francis hope to collectively raise social awareness about asthma and lend their efforts to improving the quality of life for people with asthma. 

Francis believes the entire community has a responsibility to help Virgin Islanders breathe easier.  “People with asthma can and should live normal lives, made easier by understanding, the availability of resources and access to services.

A series of events are planned throughout the asthma awareness campaign, including a poster and essay contest and a roundtable discussion.