WHY I BREATHE

Andrea Caster, BREATHE LA Board member, family law attorney, says of her commitment to BREATHE LA, "BREATHE L.A. has opened my eyes to the medical and environmental aspects of clean air and breathing issues," says Caster, who has been involved with the organization for almost three years and whose family members have been afflicted with asthma and lung cancer. "It led me to look at the causes of and treatment options for lung diseases, and what we can do to have an impact on the environment to prevent such health problems. I am proud to be associated with an organization that focuses on reaching out to lower income communities, people who may not have access to the highest quality medical care or education and information about these issues."

Robert Berliner, past Chair of BREATHE LA Board, intellectual property attorney,tells us, "I believe people have an obligation to volunteer in some form of community organization," says Berliner, who has been involved in the leadership and activities of Breathe and its predecessor organization for 30 years, and is especially proud of his work on anti-smoking campaigns aimed at teens. "This organization is worthwhile because it is unique in being grassroots, working from the bottom up to muster community involvement and support. It's providing local programs for local problems, like TB and health issues related to air quality."

Anastacio Medina Recognized as a Local Hero for Hispanic Heritage Month 2008, has been a BREATHE LA volunteer for over thirty five years. Mr. Medina retired from the Los Angeles County Health Department after thiry years, working his way up to Chief of the Hazardous Materials/Waste Management Program. Early in his career, he became interested in public health, worker health, and air pollution. He soon became an advocate for improving working conditions, workers' safety education, training, and enforcement of worker and environmental protection laws. “I’ve always been an instigator. You have to put your neck on the line, become a believer if you want to make changes," says Medina, whose investigative efforts on behalf of workers brought him in contact with chemicals that resulted in exposure-induced asthma, " I have never forgotten what my aunt told me, 'As an immigrant if you can help others, do it. Don't forget where you came from.' "