120 Years of the Lung Association
A timeline of lung health, respiratory field and The Canadian Lung Association. Our century at a glance.
- 1900
- The Canadian Association for the Prevention of Consumption and other Forms of Tuberculosis is formed at the Rideau Hall.
- 1904
- Provincial associations join the national association in an effort to combat tuberculosis together.
- 1908
- First Christmas Seals are issued in Canada in Toronto and Hamilton. Over the years, this became a national fundraising event.
- 1911
- The name changes to the Canadian Association for the Prevention of TB.
- 1914
- The field of thoracic surgery was developed.
- 1923
- The name changes to the Canadian Tuberculosis Association.
- 1928
- The first national Christmas Seals campaign is launched in Canada.
- 1940
- Pulmonary damage by smoking is identified.
- 1942
- Moosejaw, SK becomes the first city in North America to offer chest x-rays.
- 1947
- The Canadian Tuberculosis Association officially endorses BCG vaccine as a tool to fight TB.
- 1947
- The Newfoundland Tuberculosis Association purchases a naval boat, the Christmas Seal, in order to provide screening services to remote communities in the rocky Newfoundland
- 1958
- The medical section of the Association is renamed The Canadian Thoracic Society.
- 1959
- The Research Grants and Fellowship program is established to fund research in any lung disease area.
- 1969
- The Canadian Tuberculosis Association changes its name to the Canadian Tuberculosis and Respiratory Disease Association.
- 1970
- First successful trials of cyclosporine - anti-rejection drug used in lung transplants.
- 1977
- The name changes to the Canadian Lung Association.
- 1983
- First successful single lung transplant in the world at Toronto General Hospital.
- 1989
- Discovery of the gene that causes cystic fibrosis by a team at SickKids Hospital.
- 1989
- Smoking is banned on all commercial flights within Canada.
- 1999
- Launch of the RESPTREC suite of courses for those pursuing their CRE and CAE designations. It is one of the leading evidence-based professional education programs in the country and on the global stage.
- 2003
- Development of the first draft sequence of the SARS virus.
- 2009
- Ottawa researcher discovers drug combo that reduces hospital admissions for infants with bronchiolitis.
- 2015
- Advances in lung cancer treatment and personalized care.
- 2016
- Lung Associations across the country adopted the new BREATHE logo and refresh the brand of the Lung Association to focus on breathing.
- 2018
- The federal government makes tobacco control a priority announcing bold goal of 5% tobacco use by 2035.
- 2019
- The federal government announces proposed changes to vaping regulations to deal with impending vaping epidemic among Canadian youth.
- 2020
- The Canadian Lung Association joins forces with other like-minded organizations to provide support, education and information resources about COVID-19.
