The Christmas Seal Campaign began over 100 years ago to fight tuberculosis (TB). This is the B.C. Lung Association’s biggest fundraiser for the year. Already residents in the Grand Forks-Boundary area have received in the mail the Christmas Seal appeal letter. This has been delivered to known contributors and householders to attract new donors.The publicity for the campaign involves distributing place mats, bookmarks and Christmas Seals throughout the area. A banner will been strung across Highway 3 in the downtown area of Grand Forks and the Christmas Seal flag will be hoisted from the flagpole on top of the Grand Forks City Hall.A large portion of the money raised in the Christmas Seal campaign goes toward research into all lung-related illnesses.The association has been working for weeks to publicize the campaign. On Nov.12 and Nov. 18 the B. C. Lung Association had an information booth set up in the lobby of the Grand Forks Aquatic Centre. The association also had a strong presence at the Rock Creek and Boundary Fall Fair in September. Throughout the year association committee member Michele Caskey sits on the Grand Forks Environment committee. On Clean Air Day in June the B.C. Lung Association manned a booth at Overwaitea and gave out relevant material on clean air. The Grade 4 class at Hutton Elementary School constructed kites with material provided by the B. C. Lung Association. A short presentation and discussion took place about the environment. At a recent farmers’ market a booth was set up with relevant material appropriate for Clean Air Week. The public could construct kites and the Hutton Grade 4 class kites were on display. In the spring the Grand Forks-Boundary area director participated in an International World Health Conference on tuberculosis in Vancouver.Health education materials, such as non-smoking information, are provided by the B.C Lung Association and made available to the health units, Boundary Hospital, Mental Health and Addiction Centre, the Boundary Women’s Centre and to the schools in School District 51. Of benefit to those attempting to quit smoking is the online program—quitnow.ca—and the toll free number is 1-877-455-2233. Both services are free of charge and are available 24/7.There is an abundance of material about lung-related diseases and information on environmental concerns on the site, including open burning, wood burning stoves and health, air quality and radon gas.The Grand Forks-Boundary Area of the BC Lung Association includes Christina Lake, Grand Forks, Greenwood, Midway, Rock Creek, Bridesville, Beaverdell, Westbridge and Big White. For more information on lung-related matters and the BC Lung Association, contact Michele at (250) 442-3055 or B.C. Lung Association at 1-800-665-LUNG (5864). Donations may be mailed to the BC Lung Association, Box 34009, Stn D., Vancouver B.C. V6J 4M2.Please remember to use the Christmas Seals on all your holiday mail.