/R E P E A T -- The Ontario Lung Association - Media Advisory/

TORONTO , Jan. 26 /CNW/ - What if you could add 10 quality years to your life? Well, you can. In his first Canadian appearance Dan Buettner , author of the bestselling National Geographic book, THE BLUE ZONES: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who've Lived the Longest will share his research insights at Breathe!, a fundraising gala event in support of The Lung Association happening Thursday, January 28, 2010 . Breathe!, held in downtown Toronto at Berkeley Church, will feature gourmet cuisine inspired by each of the Blue Zones, live entertainment and auction. Proceeds will support critical lung health research.

The evening also features the vocal talent of Alex Pangman, a three-time National Jazz Award nominee, performing after her recent double lung transplant who will share her remarkable story with the audience. Celebrated jazz pianist Robert Scott will also perform.

    
    When:  Thursday, January 28, 2010 5:15 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

    Where: Berkeley Church 315 Queen Street East, Toronto

    What:  5:15 - 6 p.m.     Interview opportunity

           6 - 7 p.m.        Cocktail Reception/ Minister Best speaks; Alex
                             Pangman performs

           7:30 - 7:50 p.m.  Remarks and Research Presentation
                             Including $300,000 donation for lung health
                             research from Pfizer Canada

           9 p.m.            Dan Buettner presents his research findings, now
                             a New York bestselling book, The Blue Zones

    Who:   The Honourable Margarett Best, Minister of Health Promotion
           Dr. John Granton, chair, Ontario Thoracic Society
           George Habib, president & CEO, Ontario Lung Association
           Dan Buettner, explorer, author and National Geographic researcher
           Alex Pangman, jazz singer, double lung transplant recipient
           Paul Levesque, president, Pfizer Canada
           More than 240 guests
    

ABOUT LUNG HEALTH RESEARCH IN CANADA

Of the $4.5 billion in federal research funds invested in medical research since 1999, only 2% has been allocated for lung disease research. In the last 20 years, Ontario Lung Association has invested more than $27 million in scientific studies that have formed the basis of new treatments for lung disease.

ABOUT THE ONTARIO LUNG ASSOCIATION

The Lung Association is one of Canada's oldest voluntary, not-for-profit health promotion organizations. For more than 30 years, The Lung Association has been a leader in tobacco control. The Lung Association is concerned with the prevention and control of asthma, chronic lung disease caused by smoking and with air quality and its effect on lung health. The Ontario Lung Association was incorporated in 1945, and has community offices across the province.

For further information: Media enquiries and credentials contact: Karen Petcoff, Ontario Lung Association, [phone]