SLOVAK pulmonologists met at the 20th Bardejov Days of Pulmonologists and Phthisiologists conference in the end of May, and broke the Slovak record for the number of people inflating a single balloon.
The event, officially inscribed in the Book of Slovak Records, was organised by the Foundation Fund for Healthy Lungs (Nadačný fond pre zdravé pľúca) which, apart from helping patients with respiratory diseases, educates people about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (CHOPD), asthma and other ailments.
“The balloon with 1.8 metre diameter had 20 tubes inserted. A total of 141 doctors were involved in inflating it, but also other visitors of the city of Bardejov,” Helena Leščišinová, pulmonologist and member of the Foundation Fund’s Board, told the TASR newswire. “Together, they breathed 1,500 litres of air which broke the last year’s Slovak record. Through this action, we express our support for all patients suffering from CHOPD, asthma and other respiratory diseases. In this case, too, prevention is crucial, as well as early diagnosing, treatment and – first and foremost – a change in lifestyle and getting rid of detrimental habits, especially smoking.”
CHOPD is a serious illness that is connected with chronic cough and formation of phlegm, but its first symptoms are often ignored. The Foundation Fund helps patients with partial compensation of expenses for travelling, vitamins and additives, as well as supporting services that can help improve the patients’ quality of life or poor social situation.
