FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2020 - Ottawa, ON – Canada’s oldest lung health charity is celebrating 120 years this September.
The Canadian Lung Association has partnered with Canadian Country Music Award-nominated musicians Eric Ethridge and Kalsey Kulyk on a song to celebrate this significant anniversary. All proceeds from the new song Breathe Again will help fund lifesaving research, advocacy and reliable health information resources for Canadians who are struggling to breathe.
“We’re thrilled to partner with such talented Canadian musicians as Eric and Kalsey and are proud to mark this significant milestone for our organization with their voices,” said Terry Dean, President and CEO, Canadian Lung Association. “We’ve spent the last 120 years dedicated to saving lives, preventing lung disease and improving lung health through research, advocacy, education and support. Our mission is not yet complete, however. We welcome anyone who shares our passion for lung health to join us as we continue our journey towards a Canada that’s easier to breathe in for all.”
To further mark the 120th anniversary, the Lung Association has set up a landing page at lung.ca/CLATurns120 featuring a timeline of many of its accomplishments, video clips of researchers, patients and volunteers offering well wishes and reflections.
“Going through the timeline shows us where we began and it really compels us to stop and appreciate the incredible work of our predecessors throughout the decades,” Dean adds.
The Canadian Lung Association and its community of volunteers, physicians, scientists, clinicians, educators and administrators remain committed to searching for treatments for lung diseases, teaching youth about the dangers of tobacco and vaping, ensuring all Canadians have access to equitable care and medications and fighting for clean air.
“The Canadian Lung Association has been an institution in this country for 120 years, helping countless Canadians laugh and sing longer. They continue to put air back into the lungs of those who have been challenged by a disease or poor air quality,” said Kalsey Kulyk, singer-songwriter. “Our song Breathe Again is a celebration of this milestone and is dedicated to all those who work day-in and day-out helping others breathe.”
The artists saw an opportunity to help a charity dedicated to lung health and are proud to lend their name and talent to the charity’s historical milestone celebration.
Those who download the song will be directly helping the Canadian Lung Association with its mission to promote lung health and prevent and manage lung disease. Breathe Again features chart-topping pianist Paul Cardall and was produced by Jimmy Thow of Canadian country duo, Sons of Daughters. The song is available for download on Apple Music, Spotify and other streaming services now. Ethridge and Kulyk’s video for Breathe Again is available to view on lung.ca/CLATurns120.
For more information and to listen to Breathe Again and the 120th anniversary please visit lung.ca/CLATurns120.
About The Canadian Lung Association
The Canadian Lung Association is the leading organization in Canada helping Canadians breathe - working to save lives, prevent lung disease and improve lung health through research, advocacy, education and support. As a non-profit and volunteer-based health charity, we depend on donations from the public to support our mission to lead nationwide and international lung health initiatives, prevent lung disease, help people manage lung disease and promote lung health.
About Eric Ethridge
Ethridge’s self-titled debut EP landed in the top spot on the Canadian iTunes chart upon release and was streamed over three million times in its first six weeks, while lead track "If You Met Me First" earned him a spot on SiriusXM’s On the Horizon program for 20 consecutive weeks. Following his 2016 CCMA Discovery Program win, Ethridge went on to sign with Anthem Entertainment and in 2019, earned a nod for the CCMA Rising Star Award.
About Kalsey Kulyk
Kalsey’s debut album is currently nominated for the CCMA Roots Album of the Year and she is a finalist in their Top of the Country program. Kalsey’s new radio single “Who I Was” was also just selected for Bell Media’s Future Star Program.
Ethridge and Kulyk are currently on a joint cross-Canada “Love On The Road,” performing for fans while employing appropriate physical distancing measures. COVID-19 has severely impacted the live music industry and the charitable sector alike.
For further information:
Marketa Stastna
Marketing and Communications Manager
Canadian Lung Association
