The Asthma Foundation of NSW was founded over 40 years ago by two women who felt there was insufficient knowledge about the life-threatening condition which affected their children.

Today we are the largest independent funding body for asthma research and we have developed a wide-range of innovative education and information programs for consumers, health professionals, workplaces, community organisations and schools. We rely on the generous support of the NSW and ACT communities for the funding to continue our services.

What do we do?

Fund Asthma Research
Asthma NSW has funded over $6 million of asthma research since 1961, which has helped to establish a world-renowned asthma fraternity in Australia, producing cutting edge research results over the years.

Asthma Information Program
Our main information service is the free Asthma Information Line, which is a toll-free telephone number, e-mail inquiry service, and web-site (www.asthmansw.org.au). This service answers over 4,500 questions per annum from people with asthma, their carers and friends, health professionals, pharmacists and schools. A diagnosis of asthma can be a very distressing time for many and the Asthma Information Line is often a first port of call to gain an understanding of asthma and how to manage it. Many schools use this service to obtain information about managing childhood asthma, and students often use our web-site for school projects on asthma. In conjunction with the Information Line, we have produced many brochures, factsheets and information leaflets about asthma and its management. These are provided free to the community.

Children�s Swimming Program
The Asthma NSW Children�s Swimming Program was founded in 1964 to help overcome the common belief that asthma was a barrier to physical fitness. The Swimming Program provides not only overall fitness for children aged 4-12 years, but also an educational opportunity to teach about health and asthma and efficient breathing techniques. The program has benefited over 38,000 children across metropolitan and rural NSW and continues to grow.

Children�s Asthma Camp
The Children�s Asthma Camp has been in operation since 1964. Camp provides an educational opportunity for teaching young people aged 8-13 years about asthma management. Children attending have the opportunity to learn about their condition and how to manage it in a fun, friendly environment, and at the same time learning that asthma need not be a barrier to physical activity.

Emergency Asthma Management Training
Asthma NSW is able to offer a wide-range of emergency asthma management training courses, specialising in such areas as the sports field, schools, child-care centres and the workplace.

Asthma Friendly Schools Program
The Asthma Friendly Schools Program, launched in May 2001, has been funded in its early stages by the Commonwealth Government, the AMP Foundation and the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation in recognition of the impact of asthma on the school community. We are inviting schools across the country to become asthma friendly by following a few simple steps and adhering to a set of national guidelines. This program has been welcomed by teachers, students and parents alike and Asthma NSW is proud to be able to offer such an innovative program to NSW schools.



Asthma Foundation of NSW
Level 7 35 Chander St
ST LEONARDS, NSW  2065
Ph: 02 9906 3233
Fax: 02 9906 4493
Web: http://www.asthmansw.org.au
Email: [email protected]

ABN: 46 000 381822       DGR: 4.1.1 public benevolent inst.

Volunteering: Phone 02 9906 3233 for details OR Email this address [email protected] listing your contact details and how you might be able to help.