Love Your Lungs Day Draws Attention to Important Health Issue for Phoenix Residents
September 29, 2026
Glenview, IL– At the request of the American College of
Chest Physicians® (CHEST), the City of Phoenix and Mayor Kate Gallego
officially proclaimed October 18, 2026, as Love Your Lungs Day for Phoenix,
Arizona. The proclamation coincides with the first day of the CHEST Annual
Meeting 2026 in Phoenix, where more than 6,000 experts will convene to
discuss advancements in pulmonary health care.
Love Your Lungs Day highlights the critical importance of respiratory health
in alignment with Healthy Lung Month and underscores CHEST’s mission to
advance patient care through education, advocacy, and innovation in
pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego
recognizes the importance of increased awareness and respiratory health
care.
“Investing in respiratory wellness benefits every resident and helps
families lead healthier lives, and I am proud to welcome CHEST and declare
Love Your Lungs Day,” Mayor Kate Gallego said. “More than 80,000 children
across Maricopa County have pediatric asthma—something I experienced. I
recognize the importance of raising awareness, encouraging preventative
care, supporting research, and expanding access to quality respiratory care
so every resident can live a healthier life.”
Respiratory disease has a significant impact on communities across the
Phoenix area. In Maricopa County, there are approximately 410,000 cases of
adult asthma, more than 187,000 cases of COPD, and more than 1,700 cases of
lung cancer. These figures reinforce the need for continued research,
education, advocacy, and access to quality respiratory care.
“We are grateful to Mayor Gallego and the City of Phoenix for recognizing
October 18 as Love Your Lungs Day and for welcoming the CHEST community to
Phoenix,” said Neil Freedman, MD, FCCP, 2026 President of CHEST. “This
proclamation celebrates the thousands of clinicians who dedicate their
careers to improving respiratory health while also bringing greater
attention to the impact of lung disease in communities across Arizona. As
CHEST 2026 begins, we look forward to joining Phoenix in recognizing health
care professionals and reinforcing the importance of education, research,
prevention, and access to high-quality respiratory care.”
In addition to bringing thousands of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep
medicine clinicians to Phoenix to explore the latest advances in respiratory
health, CHEST philanthropy is partnering with the
Arizona Asthma Coalition, the Arizona Coalition for Change, and
Phoenix Children’s Breathmobile
as this year’s
CHEST Community Connections.
The city’s proclamation recognizes the commitment and dedication of CHEST to
improving respiratory health and transforming the lives of patients around
the world.
CHEST members and residents of Phoenix are encouraged to help raise
awareness for respiratory health and Love Your Lungs Day by using the
hashtag #LoveYourLungs and tagging @accpCHEST on social media platforms.
Share your stories of struggles, strength, and hope in the face of lung
disease.
View the formal mayoral letter below.
About the American College of Chest Physicians
The American College of Chest Physicians ® (CHEST) is the global
leader in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest diseases. Its
mission is to champion the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest
diseases through education, communication, and research. It serves as an
essential connection to clinical knowledge and resources for its 18,000+
members from around the world who provide patient care in pulmonary,
critical care, and sleep medicine. For information about the American
College of Chest Physicians, visit
chestnet.org.
VIEW THE LETTER »