Making a bigger difference to people with lung disease

Kay Boycott, Chief Executive of the Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation Partnership, explains what’s changing in 2020.

From 1 January 2020, Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation will officially join forces.

The merger allows the two charities to share their combined energy and passion to make an even bigger difference to everyone affected by asthma and other lung diseases.
  
It will see us – as the Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation Partnership - become a stronger, more powerful voice for change. We have already seen how partnership working, such as in the Taskforce for Lung Health, can lead to real and significant improvements in outcomes for people affected by lung disease. It also makes sense for us to share running costs and office space, to be able to invest more in research and support. 

Both the BLF and Asthma UK will retain individual identities. Under our own names, we’ll continue to research asthma and lung diseases, provide information and support, run our helplines, and campaign and develop policy.

Your continued support is vital

Lung disease has a devastating impact on individuals, their friends and families. And the level of demand on the NHS is growing. That’s why your continued support is vital.
 
You’ll be able to make a difference to the lives of those affected lung diseases in the same ways as before. BLF eventers will still join Team Breathe. You can still fund BLF’s world-class research. You can still leave a legacy to BLF in your will and be sure it will make a difference. 

BLF support groups will continue to provide members with information, friendship and the skills to manage their conditions. As a supporter, you’ll continue to hear from BLF regularly about what’s happening.

As a larger organisation, the Partnership will be able to offer more opportunities for supporters to work with us to find new medicines and treatments, to improve NHS services and to protect future generations from lung disease. 

I am very pleased and honoured to have the opportunity to lead the partnership as its first chief executive.