GSK supports World Asthma Day 2008
13 June 2008

GlaxoSmithKline provided generous financial support for World Asthma Day 2008, which helped Asthma UK to fund an effective and wide reaching campaign. This year's 'Wish you were here?' report highlighted a shocking divide in health and quality of life for people with asthma depending on where they live. 

The campaign achieved some impressive broadcast media coverage, with two UK-wide TV pieces (GMTV and Channel 4 news) and one UK wide-radio slot (Radio 5).

In England Asthma UK received coverage in three regional TV and 21 regional radio pieces; Wales saw one TV and four radio pieces; in Northern Ireland there were four radio pieces and in Scotland there were five radio pieces - including two on community radio. 

Pete Sinclair, Senior Brand Manager from GSK said 'GlaxoSmithKline is very pleased to have supported the activities of Asthma UK on World Asthma Day and help to raise the awareness in parliament of the continuing problem of variable asthma services within the UK.  We have no doubt that Asthma UK's report will have a positive impact on the care of people with asthma and we are privileged to have supported it.' 

Neil Churchill, Chief Executive at Asthma UK said 'GSK's support ensured we were able to fund an effective and wide reaching campaign which resulted in some excellent media coverage and highlighted the unacceptable inequalities in asthma services provided across the UK. We are delighted that the campaign has encouraged PCTs to look again at their asthma services and people with asthma to make the most of their asthma reviews.

'Asthma UK continues to increase the understanding of asthma, its causes and effects, and raise awareness of the needs of the 5.2 million people living with asthma and our partnership with GSK is a valued part of that effort.'