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MCC Daily Tribune

Respiratory Care Week

Respiratory Care Week gives us a little more breathing room annually on October 23-30.  Hard-working doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists, primarily in the U.S. and Canada, care for patients with breathing difficulties due to chronic conditions like asthma. Respiratory Care Week highlights the information we need to keep us breathing well so we can enjoy a great quality of life.

HOW TO OBSERVE RESPIRATORY CARE WEEK

  1. Attend a health screening

    Respiratory Care Week allows you to get a free health screening and talk with a respiratory therapist. The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) sponsors Respiratory Care Week and they have a variety of festivals with free screenings, films, and even yoga demonstrations. Check with the AARC for an event in your community.

  2. Organize a lunch-and-learn at work

    Send out some emails, print up some flyers and announce a lunch-and-learn for your coworkers. Your nearby hospital can probably suggest a respiratory therapist who can stop by and chat about respiratory care and even shout out the respiratory therapist profession. It's a great mix-and-mingle during lunch!

  3. Set up a display at your neighborhood library

    Take the initiative and set up a colorful display for Respiratory Care Week. Include a table for chats with a respiratory therapist. Maybe the library will allow you to show a film. Use your imagination and show how creative you can be so that we can all breathe easier. For more Respiratory Care Week ideas, go to the AARC’s website and download their planning guide.

 

WHY RESPIRATORY CARE WEEK IS IMPORTANT

  1. It promotes respiratory health

    Respiratory therapists care for people not only with chronic breathing conditions, but also those who have suffered heart attacks, strokes, or shock. It's very important for all of us to know how to keep our respiratory health in top condition, and the information we get this week is a literal breath of fresh air.

  2. The field is growing

    According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, respiratory therapy is becoming a desirable field. The Bureau estimates that between 2010 and 2020, there will be a 28% increase in the number of respiratory therapists. The growth won't let up as aging Baby Boomers need more specialized care.

  3. Respiratory therapy pays well

    If you're looking for a high-paying career that will give you the satisfaction of helping others, you can't go wrong with respiratory therapy. In 2011, the national median wage was over $26 per hour or $55,000 per year.

Sarah Benedict
MCC Wellness Council
10/24/2022