Novartis Launches Awareness Campaign on Chronic Respiratory Diseases

Novartis "Don't Hold Your Breath, Make Breathless" Novartis, in cooperation with the Turkish National Association of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, is launching the "Don't Hold Your Breath, Make Breathless" campaign to emphasise that asthma is not a barrier to life. The campaign film features national diving record holder Şahika Ercümen, who suffers from allergic asthma. Within the scope of World Asthma Day on 3 May, Novartis, in partnership with the Turkish National Association of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, has launched the "Don't Hold Your Breath, Make Breathless" campaign aimed at raising public awareness about allergic asthma. National diving record holder Şahika Ercümen, who herself has allergic asthma, conveys the message in the campaign film that asthma patients can live a quality life with proper treatment. Asthma, a chronic disease, is estimated to affect approximately 340 million people worldwide. In Turkey, this figure approaches 3 million. Allergic asthma patients try to stay away from allergens to prevent attacks and improve their quality of life. This can restrict their daily activities and patients may not feel free. Through the "Don't Hold Your Breath, Make Breathless" campaign, it is intended to convey that allergic asthma, which can occur in all age groups, can be controlled through proper treatment and regular follow-up, and that allergic asthma is not an obstacle to enjoying life. In the campaign film, which recreates a home environment underwater, national diving record holder Şahika Ercümen, who herself has allergic asthma, reflects the inner world of an allergic asthma patient beneath the water. In the film, Ercümen, referring to her own life story, inspires patients with the message: "Don't let allergic asthma take your breath away, live life so fully that it takes your breath away."

"Asthma is not an obstacle to life, living, sports and records"

Since 1957, Novartis has been working to discover new ways to improve people's quality of life and extend their lifespans. Through this campaign, Novartis aims to overturn common misconceptions about allergic asthma. Always prioritising the quality of life of patients and their families, Novartis continues its activities to provide better services and develop innovative products. Through stakeholder collaborations, Novartis continues to implement projects that will benefit patients and their families. This year, within the scope of World Asthma Day, in cooperation with the Turkish National Association of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Novartis is implementing the 'Don't Hold Your Breath, Make Breathless' campaign. Asthma is a health issue that occurs in approximately 7.1 per cent of men and 9 per cent of women on average in Turkey and can severely affect quality of life. Through the campaign film featuring Turkish national diving record holder Şahika Ercümen, Novartis aims to increase public awareness in the field of asthma and convey the message that allergic asthma can be controlled under medical supervision." Prof. Dr. Dilşad Mungan, Chair of the Board of the Turkish National Association of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, commenting on the symptoms of allergic asthma: "This disease occurs in many age groups in Turkey and worldwide. It manifests with symptoms such as dry cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, hissing and chest tightness, with varying severity and duration triggered by dust, odours, smoke, pet hair, cockroaches, mould fungi and house dust mites. We recommend that people exhibiting these symptoms consult allergists and chest disease specialists. This is because it is possible to keep asthma under control through effective treatment and regular check-ups," he said. National diving record holder Şahika Ercümen, who appeared in the "Don't Hold Your Breath, Make Breathless" campaign film, said: "My asthma started at a very young age. I am fortunate to have a conscious family and was able to control my disease through proper treatment. People always said asthma patients should stay away from sports. But I never gave up my passion for water. Now I see that these claims are unfounded. I am an asthma patient and despite this, I have set world records underwater. The biggest factor in achieving this is disease monitoring and proper treatment. Through the 'Don't Hold Your Breath, Make Breathless' campaign, we are reaching a wider audience with this story and emphasising the importance of medical support. Asthma is not an obstacle to life, living, sports and records."