On May 23, the Foundation welcomed guests to a black-tie event celebrating the New Zealand Respiratory Achievers’ Awards and the Foundation’s 60th anniversary.
We had an amazing turnout, including our award winners and their families, Board Members, Scientific Advisory Board Members and Friends of the Foundation partners.
We are grateful to those who joined us for such a special occasion, which included celebrating 60 years of research, education, and advocacy.
The 2024 event has been made possible thanks to the generous support of our Platinum Friends of the Foundation sponsor, G.J. Gardner Homes NZ.
Congratulations to the inspiring and remarkable recipients of this year's Respiratory Achievers' Awards, listed below.
Charleigh has just popped and locked her way into the Hip Hop World Championships, a huge achievement given her ongoing battle with severe asthma. Read Charleigh’s full story here.
From ICU at Starship Hospital in Auckland, to Year 8 Sports Girl of the Year 2023, Dominique wants other kids to know that if you look after your lungs, you can achieve anything. Read Dominique’s full story here.
Asthma is an unwelcome, very irksome, troublesome companion in Betty Blake’s life, but she knows the importance of managing her condition after the death of her cousin to asthma at the age of 18. Read Betty’s full story here.
Margaret is a role model for those living with COPD, holding exercise classes once a week in her community despite suffering from COPD herself. Read Margaret's full story here.
14-year-old Samoan teen Faamanatu Ofisa has scars in his breathing tubes, but his determination to take care of his lungs is driven by his passion for playing rugby. Read Natu's full story here.
Maddi has had more than 15 surgeries due to complications from her multiple respiratory conditions, but she is not giving up on her dream of being a zoo vet and a princess in a castle. Read Maddi’s full story here.
Anne Webster has spent two decades trying to help tamariki stay well with their asthma and is described by her colleagues as one of the most caring nurses who always goes the extra mile for whānau in her care. Read Anne’s full story here.
Five mums are on a crusade to raise awareness of New Zealand’s vaping epidemic and to fight for families who have been torn apart by addiction. Read Vape-Free Kids NZ’s full story here.
"Having personally seen the effect asthma has had on family members, the G.J. Gardner team are proud to support the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation's work, including the Respiratory Achievers' Awards."
