Fourth Annual Event to Raise Awareness about Persistently High Asthma Rates in Long Island City
(Long Island City, NY – 10/7/13)- On October 12, 2013 from 11 am to 4 pm TransCanada, Riis Settlement, and New York Hospital Queens are proud to present their fourth annual Asthma Screening and Education Day at Riis Settlement’s Queensbridge site. The location could not be more appropriate, as Queensbridge sits at the southern end of what is known as “Asthma Alley,” an area stretching from the South Bronx, through East Harlem and into Western Queens. Long a center of manufacturing in the city, surrounded by bridges and crisscrossed by major transportation arteries, the Long Island City/Astoria area has one of the highest child asthma rates in New York.[1] The situation is particularly acute in the Queensbridge Houses, the largest public housing development in the nation, where Riis Settlement is headquartered. For the fourth straight year, TransCanada, Riis Settlement, and New York Hospital Queens plan to address this situation through an event that is educational, practical and fun!
Physicians and other healthcare professionals from New York Hospital Queens will be on hand to offer on-site basic screenings, consultations and referrals for both children and adults. There will also be facilitated healthcare enrollment, activities for kids, and a community barbecue. Music will be provided by Riis Settlement’s own Albert Pollard, a local DJ. The event has drawn almost 150 community members and organizers expect attendance to increase. Christopher Hanway, Riis Settlement’s Executive Director, recently spoke about the importance of asthma awareness and education, “Preventing and fighting asthma is one of the most important of our health and wellness initiatives because it affects so many of our participants, young and old. We are delighted and grateful to have TransCanada and New York Hospital Queens as continued partners on this project.”
“TransCanada operates the Ravenswood Power Generating Station in Queens, it is home to our Regional office and many of our employees,” said William C. Taylor, senior vice president for US and Canadian Power at TransCanada. “Giving back to the communities where we live and work has been part of our culture for over 60 years; there is great benefit in connecting youth and families to vital community support services like asthma screening day. It is our hope that through TransCanada’s support of Riis Settlement and New York Hospital Queens we are helping build stronger and healthier communities.”
With more than 60 years’ experience, TransCanada is a leader in the responsible development and reliable operation of North American energy infrastructure including natural gas and oil pipelines, power generation and gas storage facilities. TransCanada operates a network of natural gas pipelines that extends more than 68,500 kilometres (42,500 miles), tapping into virtually all major gas supply basins in North America. TransCanada is one of the continent’s largest providers of gas storage and related services with more than 400 billion cubic feet of storage capacity. A growing independent power producer, TransCanada owns or has interests in over 11,800 megawatts of power generation in Canada and the United States. The company, based in Calgary, Alberta, has safely and reliably operated the Ravenswood Power Generating station since 2008, which has the capacity to generate up to 21 per cent of New York City’s electricity. TransCanada proudly partners with organizations like Riis Settlement through its Community Investment Program. For more information visit: www.transcanada.com or check us out on Twitter @TransCanada or http://blog.transcanada.com.
Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement House, Inc. (www.riissettlement.org) is a leading community-based non-profit service provider in Western Queens, New York, serving as a catalyst for change by supporting residents in their efforts to achieve greater social and economic self-sufficiency. Founded in 1899, Riis Settlement provides integrated educational, social, cultural and health services to more than 1,600 individuals each year. Riis Settlement’s award-winning programs support community members of all ages– from after-school programs for kids to English-language classes and case management for immigrants to health services, meals, and transportation for older adults.
[1] New York City Childhood Asthma Initiative, Asthma Facts, 2003.
