Lung Association Recognizes Vermont Resident

The American Lung Association today announced that Fairfax , Vermont resident and respiratory therapist Steve Cothalis is a recipient of the 2018 Volunteer Excellence Award. The award was presented at the organization’s annual Awards Dinner in Chicago, where its national headquarters are located.

“Steve has been a valued member of the Lung Association family for more than 20 years – and his work as founder and facilitator of a Better Breathers Club Support Group has helped countless Vermont families breathe easier,” said Jeff Seyler, Chief Division Officer of the American Lung Association. “Steve is an incredible volunteer and we are lucky to work alongside him.”

Cothalis began his support of the American Lung Association in 1980 while still living in New York City. Since he began ramping up his volunteer efforts in Vermont in 1997 he has volunteered for or participated in nearly every single fundraiser Vermont has had from Blow the Whistle on Asthma walks to the Bennington Battle Monument Stair Climb and LUNG FORCE Walks. As a respiratory therapist, he volunteered nearly every year for the Lung Association’s five-day residential asthma camp.

“In regards to my pulmonary rehab patients – I get them to stop thinking about and focusing on the past,” said Cothalis. “All we can do is learn from it. Whatever it is we can do to improve our physical and mental condition for today and tomorrow is what matters. All we have is the present – and it is a gift.”

Cothalis also founded and facilitated the Better Breathers Club Support Group at Copley Hospital in Morrisville, Vermont – where he was previously employed - and has mentored healthcare professionals to start new Better Breathers Club groups. He regularly recruits his patients to participate or volunteer in Lung Association events, using them as motivation to set and reach goals. Steve challenges the Better Breathers Club members to reach physically further than most can imagine, including walking up to 3.1 miles in the Lung Association’s Healthy Air Walk and the LUNG FORCE Walk. Steve also helped organize an annual car wash to benefit the American Lung Association.

Cothalis served on the leadership board and various planning committees, participated in many Lung Association trainings, including the Asthma Educator Institutes and COPD Educator Institutes and he also organized transportation for his patients to attend the LUNG FORCE Expo.

As the nation's first voluntary health organization, the American Lung Association was founded by volunteers, and over a century later, they remain a vibrant, energizing force at both the national and regional levels. The annual Awards Dinner recognizes staff and volunteers who have shown exemplary effort in advancing the organization’s mission to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease, through research, education and advocacy.

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About the American Lung Association

TheAmerican LungAssociation is the leading organization working to save livesbyimprovinglunghealth and preventinglungdisease, through research,education and advocacy.The work of the American LungAssociation is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to improve the air we breathe; to reduce the burden of lung disease on individuals and their families; and to eliminate tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases. For moreinformation aboutthe American LungAssociation,a holderoftheBetterBusiness BureauWiseGivingGuideSeal,or to supportthe workitdoes,call1-800-LUNGUSA(1-800-586-4872)orvisit: Lung.org.