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ABOUT THE OPEN AIRWAYS CHARITY

Brief History

In 1994 when asthma education was first offered to the public by Liz Boden, an overwhelming number of people with poorly controlled asthma came forward looking for help. The founders of Open Airways identified an enormous problem, finding many families without health insurance, living in poor home conditions and without sufficient funds to buy basic necessary equipment for effective control of asthma. At this time asthma was the number one reason people were admitted to hospital (apart from maternity).
In 1997 Open Airways was registered as a charity to help people of all ages who suffered with asthma.
In 1999 Open Airways realized that many more health care professionals with specialized training in respiratory care were needed to tackle the asthma epidemic on the island. The charity started offering international asthma diploma courses for physicians, nurses, physiotherapists and pharmacists working throughout the island in the hospitals, Department of Health, Prisons, Schools, physician’s offices and pharmacies.
In 2000 Open Airways was instrumental in establishing the hospital asthma education centre and training the nurse who runs it.
In 2003 Open Airways recognized the need to advance the quality of care for the elderly suffering with emphysema and other chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). At this time there were no specially trained health care professionals helping seniors with COPD in Bermuda, lung function testing was poorly done and education and support was almost non-existent.
In 2005 Open Airways realized that they also have an important role as an advocate and lobbyist for air quality control as this is a leading cause for the rise in asthma in developed countries around the world.
In 2005 in accordance with Open Airways wish to hold itself to the highest levels of accountability the charity was formed into a Company Limited by Guarantee with a Board of Directors to ensure proper governance. Deloitte were appointed as independent auditors of the company.
In 2006 Open Airways decided to establish a well-organized island-wide school asthma education program. Working closely with the Department of Health, Open Airways agreed to cover the cost of the salary for a specially trained nurse to set up and run the program for 3 years. The ultimate objective being to have the Department of Health take over the funding of school asthma education once the need for and success of the program is proved. (Approximately 1 in 5 children suffer with asthma in Bermuda – this is one of the highest rates in the world.)
In 2007 recognizing the enormous waste of manpower and funds that the necessity to fundraise caused each year Open Airways launched an endowment appeal. Despite the appeal serving as a hugely successful awareness campaign and broadening the base of support enjoyed by the charity within the corporate community Open Airways has found that relatively few companies and charitable organizations are willing to support endowment appeals.
In 2007 Liz Boden was invited to speak at The Brigham and Women's Partners Asthma Best Practices Conference to present The Bermuda Model as an example of a highly successful well-organized asthma education and care program.
In 2008 booklets, leaflets and magnets (to put on filing cabinets and refrigerators) were produced to improve asthma education in the community (examples included in folder pocket).
In 2008 Dr. Shaina Kelly, a highly motivated family physician, joined our Board of Directors. She is on the physicians Continuing Educational Merits (CME) committee at KEMH. This gives us new opportunities to obtain accreditation for our international courses and hopefully attracting more physicians to become specially qualified in respiratory care. She is also helping us to bring experts to the island for physician education.
In 2008 the pharmacist initiative was launched. The pharmacists have attended asthma workshops and will launch an island-wide asthma education program to improve the patients understanding of their medications and how to use their inhalers and devices. Open Airways leaflets will be available in all pharmacies.
In 2008 a new partnership with the charity The Aerie Foundation was established. Nurses' Aids employed to care for the elderly have attended an Open Airways workshop, they will distribute equipment, booklets and leaflets provided by Open Airways to the elderly. A lively assembly has also been held for the children and teachers of The Aerie Foundation nursery school.
In 2008 workshops have been introduced in Westgate Correctional facility, The Co-Ed Facility (for incarcerated teenagers and women) and also for students in the special TECH school for troubled students (many are using illegal drugs and therefore need special help with smoking cessation)

Key Objectives

To provide specialized education in asthma and other respiratory problems such as emphysema.
To educate individuals, their families and the public about respiratory diseases and to promote self care where possible.
To act as an advocate and lobbyist for people with respiratory diseases, particularly those who are most vulnerable and disenfranchised, to improve access to quality care.
Provide basic necessary equipment for effective treatment for those in need.

Officers

Liz Boden. Director and Founder. R.N. R.S.C.N.,N.R.T.C. Asthma Care Nurse and Instructor. Liz is passionate about her work with Open Airways and is determined to make a difference. She is actively working in the specialist area of asthma education in the community.

Catriona Godfrey. Vice president and Treasurer B.A. C.A. A Catriona is a co-founder of Open Airways and has a strong financial background. A graduate of Manchester University (B.A. Hons Economics) and a Chartered Accountant (ICAEW).

To read more about how it all began - a personal mission, click here >