Vaccines reduced serious COVID-19 infections, kept people out of hospital and saved lives. But cuts to research funding may affect future vaccines. With European Respiratory Society, we ask leaders to protect the science that protects us all. https://www.ersnet.org/advocacy/campaign-defend-science

💬 For this month’s spotlight, we spoke with Dr Vicky Gerovasili, a lung transplant physician. In this interview, she shares how transplantation has evolved and why patient perspectives are key to improving care. https://europeanlung.org/en/news-and-blog/conversation-with-vicky-gerovasili/

🚨 May’s Patient Organisation Round-up is here! Each month, ELF spotlights the work of patient organisations around the world and the ways they are raising awareness and advocating for improved lung health. Read more: https://europeanlung.org/en/news-and-blog/patient-organisation-round-up-may-2026/

🌍 We are halfway through the #LungHealth4Life project! This EU-funded project helps children across Europe learn about their lung health through school activities🫁 https://europeanlung.org/en/news-and-blog/lunghealth4life-project-sees-strong-participation-and-engagement-in-european-schools/

Wood burning stoves pollute the air in our homes, but when councils in England warned residents about the health risks, the stove industry threatened them with legal action. Read more: https://www.ersnet.org/news-and-features/news/wood-burning-industry-threatens-councils-over-health-warnings/

📣The IMPACT survey is asking people with experience of pleural disease what matters most in their care and treatment. Your experience will help shape future research across Europe. https://europeanlung.org/en/get-involved/surveys/pleural-disease-research-a-survey-for-patients-and-carers/

🌍At a recent workshop in Brussels, 21 national coalitions came together to share ideas and experiences. Read more: https://europeanlung.org/en/news-and-blog/patient-representatives-help-shape-lung-health-policy-discussions-at-irc-national-coalitions-workshop-2026/

💙 On #InternationalNursesDay, ELF recognises respiratory nurses as essential partners in lung health. Through care, education and advocacy, nurses help ensure patients are listened to and involved. Share your experience as part of Global Voices 2026: https://woobox.com/ayfu33#InternationalNursesDay

🌍 Lung health is on the agenda at #WHA2026. On 20 May, @FIRS and partners will host an official World Health Assembly side event on early lung cancer diagnosis, access to inhaled medicines and integrated respiratory care. @TheUnion_TBLH @uicc

🌍Join the ELF Patient Organisation Networking Day 2026 on 5 Sept in Barcelona or online to explore partnership in decision-making, unmet needs and respiratory research. https://europeanlung.org/en/get-involved/events/elf-patient-organisation-networking-day-2026/

💙 We are inviting people living with lung conditions to share honest reflections on partnership in lung health: what helps, what could improve and what meaningful care looks like to you. #GlobalVoices2026 👉 https://woobox.com/ayfu33

⏰ There is still time to apply for an ELF travel bursary! Patient organisations can apply for €350 or €800 to attend ERS Congress 2026 in Barcelona 🇪🇸. 🗓 Apply by 28 May 2026 🔗 https://europeanlung.org/en/get-involved/events/ers-congress-2026/

Join this special ERS Vision Live event on 11 May, co-developed with ELF, exploring the #ERSCongress 2026 theme: “United for better breathing”. https://channel.ersnet.org/media-121670-united-for-better-breathing-partnership-between-patients-clinicians-and-researchers-11-may-2026

📊 New research suggests that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be considered for menopause symptoms without increasing the risk of asthma attacks. 🔗 Read more: https://europeanlung.org/en/news-and-blog/study-finds-no-link-between-hormone-replacement-therapy-and-asthma-attacks/

🫁 Today is #WorldPulmonaryHypertensionDay! Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) is a rare condition affecting blood vessels between the heart and lungs. ELF provides free information in 9 languages to learn more. 🔗: https://europeanlung.org/en/information-hub/lung-conditions/pulmonary-hypertension/#WorldPulmonaryHypertensionDay

Today is #WorldAsthmaDay! 💙 ELF provides free, reliable information about #Asthma in 9 languages to support people living with the condition around the world. Learn more: https://europeanlung.org/en/information-hub/lung-conditions/adult-asthma/

🧠 It is European Mental Health Week! #EuropeanMentalHealthWeek The ELF Mental Health Working Group has launched a new toolkit and statement with practical actions to strengthen mental health support for people living with lung conditions across Europe 👉 https://shorturl.at/pgBV3

The UK has introduced a generational ban on tobacco sales ELF and ERS welcome this important milestone that also strengthens powers to regulate tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine products. https://europeanlung.org/en/news-and-blog/uk-introduces-lifetime-ban-on-tobacco-for-younger-generations/

💬 Tell us about a time when you worked with someone to manage your lung health For Global Voices 2026, patients and caregivers are invited to share real experiences of working together to manage lung health. https://europeanlung.org/en/projects-and-campaigns/global-voices-2026/

📢 Thinking about #ERSCongress 2026? This is the year to join. This year’s theme puts partnership front and centre, with more opportunities for patients to speak, chair and shape discussions. Join us in Barcelona 🇪🇸 or online! 🔗 https://europeanlung.org/en/get-involved/events/ers-congress-2026/#ERSCongress

The Alpha‑1 Patient Advisory Group brings together people with Alpha‑1 and their families from across Europe. You can help ensure patient and family perspectives are included in research. https://europeanlung.org/en/people-and-partners/patient-advisory-groups/alpha-1-patient-advisory-group/

Share your experiences at the ERS Congress and ELF Patient Organisation Networking Day 2026! We want to hear how patient organisations are building and improving partnerships with healthcare professionals. Your insights can support meaningful change. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KZ9BR5K

Protecting public health means protecting how research is done. With the European Respiratory Society, we are urging European leaders to support research and make sure medical progress is not delayed. Help us #DefendScience and #ProtectHealth: https://www.ersnet.org/advocacy/campaign-defend-science

Today is Alpha‑1 Awareness Day 💙 Learn more about alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and help raise awareness. Earlier understanding can lead to earlier diagnosis and improved support. https://europeanlung.org/en/information-hub/lung-conditions/alpha-1-antitrypsin-deficiency/

💙 “One of the best things that has happened for the TB community is UNITE4TB.” — Blessi Kumar This week, ELF and Community Advisory Group members attended the UNITE4TB Annual Meeting in Munich. Learn more: www.unite4tb.org

💬 For this month’s spotlight, we spoke with Tanja Hedberg. 🔗: https://europeanlung.org/en/news-and-blog/tanja-hedberg-on-sharing-her-experience-of-living-with-primary-ciliary-dyskinesia-pcd-and-recurrent-pulmonary-infections/

📢 Healthy Lungs for Life returns to Barcelona in 2026! Join us this September alongside the ERS Congress for city‑wide activities including free lung health testing and Take the Active Option walk/run. https://europeanlung.org/en/get-involved/events/healthy-lungs-for-life-in-barcelona-2026/

In a new episode of The European Respiratory Society's Lung Health Matters podcast, former ELF Chair Kjeld Hansen speaks with Craig Wheelock and Susanne Vijverberg about the growing pressures on independent science. Listen: https://channel.ersnet.org/channel-312-lung-health-matters-podcast

🚨 April's Patient Organisation Round-up is here! Each month, ELF highlights the work of patient organisations across Europe and globally, showcasing how they support patients and advocate for better lung health. https://europeanlung.org/en/news-and-blog/patient-organisation-round-up-april-2026/

We are inviting patients, caregivers, clinicians and researchers to share what partnership in lung health means to them. Images and short videos are also welcome! Selected contributions will be showcased at the ERS Congress 2026. https://europeanlung.org/en/projects-and-campaigns/global-voices-2026/

⏰ Last chance to share your experience of lung transplantation in Europe This survey explores the realities of lung transplantation for people across Europe. 🔗 Take part: https://europeanlung.org/en/get-involved/surveys/share-your-experience-of-lung-transplantation-in-europe/

When researchers and patient groups work together, it builds trust and leads to better outcomes for public health. With European Respiratory Society, we are urging European leaders to ensure decisions are guided by science and patient voices. https://www.ersnet.org/advocacy/campaign-defend-science

🌟 Join the ELF Patient Organisation Networking Day 2026 on 5 September, Barcelona 🇪🇸 or online. Together, we will explore how patients and professionals can work as equal partners in decision-making and research. Learn more here: https://europeanlung.org/en/get-involved/events/ers-congress-2026/

✈️ ELF travel bursaries are open for the #ERSCongress 2026! European patient organisations can get support to attend the full Congress or Patient Organisation Networking Day in Barcelona 🇪🇸 Apply by 28 May 2026 🌍 https://europeanlung.org/en/get-involved/events/ers-congress-2026/#ERSCongress

📢 Registration is open for the #ERSCongress 2026! @EuroRespSoc Join us in Barcelona 🇪🇸 or online for “United for better breathing: partnership between patients, clinicians & researchers.” 🌍 Register: https://europeanlung.org/en/get-involved/events/ers-congress-2026/#ERSCongress

A new study explored whether people with long-term breathlessness can accurately predict how breathless they will feel during everyday activities. https://europeanlung.org/en/news-and-blog/new-study-suggests-people-often-expect-breathlessness-to-be-worse-than-it-is/

Today is World Sarcoidosis Day! Sarcoidosis is a rare condition that often affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body. Some people have extreme symptoms, while others have mild, making diagnosis difficult. https://europeanlung.org/en/information-hub/lung-conditions/sarcoidosis/

🚨 Final chance to apply for Healthy Lungs for Life grants 2026 This is the last week to apply for funding to support projects that promote lung health. https://europeanlung.org/en/projects-and-campaigns/healthy-lungs-for-life/hold-your-own-event/apply-for-a-grant/

🌍 Could air pollution increase a child’s risk of asthma? The European Respiratory Journal found that long‑term exposure to air pollution is linked to a higher risk of asthma in children. https://europeanlung.org/en/news-and-blog/understanding-how-air-pollution-may-trigger-asthma-in-children/

❓ What are non‑tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM)? ELF has published a new resource on NTM, covering symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, living with NTM, and current research. 🔗: https://europeanlung.org/en/information-hub/lung-conditions/non-tuberculous-mycobacteria-ntm/

If you or someone you care for has experienced pleural disease and conditions such as pleural effusion, pneumothorax or mesothelioma, we would greatly value your input. https://europeanlung.org/en/get-involved/surveys/pleural-disease-research-a-survey-for-patients-and-carers/

📚 The European Respiratory Society (ERS) Bronchiectasis Monograph is available now. The patient perspectives chapter, co-authored by the ELF Bronchiectasis Patient Advisory Group, demonstrates how lived experience can influence research and care. 🔗 https://doi.org/10.1183/2312508X.10027825

The WHO 2026 #WorldHealthDay message is to #StandWithScience. When science is ignored, health is at risk. With European Respiratory Society, we are campaigning to #DefendScience and #ProtectHealth. Support the campaign: ersnet.org/advocacy/campaign-defend-science#WorldHealthDay

Got a successful Healthy Lungs for Life project? 🚀 Take it further with a €5,000 Enhanced Impact Grant in 2026. 📅 Deadline: 16 April 🔗 https://europeanlung.org/en/projects-and-campaigns/healthy-lungs-for-life/hold-your-own-event/apply-for-a-grant/ #HealthyLungsForLife #LungHealth

📹 The Bronchiectasis Conference 2026 recording is now live. The recording includes clear explanations of bronchiectasis, updates on infections and new research and practical advice from patients and clinicians on living well with the condition. https://youtu.be/91MQRi3As_Y?si=DcLWHj2K8Xl7oFWZ

Our #lungtransplantation survey is still open. We are seeking input from transplant recipients, those referred/evaluated or on the waiting list and carers. Now available in 15 languages. https://europeanlung.org/en/get-involved/surveys/share-your-experience-of-lung-transplantation-in-europe/#lungtransplantation

Through #LungHealth4Life, we are raising awareness of this issue among young people, and supporting cleaner, safer environments for children.  Learn how you can support action for clean air 👉 www.lunghealth4life.eu   Join here: https://europeanlung.org/lunghealth4life/community-of-practices/ 

Manolis from Crete smoked for 50 years and wasn’t sure how to look after his lungs. A doctor suggested the SOLACE Project’s screening. It didn’t show lung cancer, but it did help him spot another issue early. https://europeanlung.org/solace/2026/03/17/manoliss-experience-of-lung-cancer-screening/

💡 Translations are now available for our Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) information page. Learn more about this condition in this new resource, created with BEAT PCD, 🔗: https://europeanlung.org/en/information-hub/lung-conditions/primary-ciliary-dyskinesia-pcd/

⏳ Last opportunity to take part! A short and anonymous survey is collecting experiences from people living with a lung condition to help improve future support. Share yours now: https://europeanlung.org/en/get-involved/surveys/experiences-of-pulmonary-rehab/ 📅 Final deadline: 31 March 2026