“I felt like I had lost my life; I was struggling to get enough air to meet the daily demands of life and work.” Alison is a successful psychologist with a practice in the northeastern United States. She helps people regain control over their lives, especially those with chronic disease, so she knew she needed to seek help when her breathing problems became debilitating, not once, but twice.

“My doctors at National Jewish Health have saved my life multiple times,” said Alison. “They helped me regain and maintain my health in a way that no other doctors have done. I support National Jewish Health so others can experience the same.”

Alison gives to National Jewish Health in multiple ways. She has shared her medical journey at local events, and now, here with you. She has included the hospital in her will, and she plans to give a gift of stock in the near future.

Life-Changing Personalized Care

Early in life, Alison was diagnosed with asthma, a common and chronic lung disease. The symptoms can include wheezing, a tight chest and shortness of breath. For people with severe and uncontrolled asthma, like Alison, traditional medicines do little to manage the symptoms.

“I was on tons of oral steroids, had all of the horrible side effects and my asthma was still not under control,” said Alison. “My doctor kept asking me if I was taking my medications the way I was supposed to. I was very compliant, but I began to feel like it was my fault that I was sick.”

Alison was then referred to National Jewish Health, where the doctors ran tests that no others had run. “We found out that to control my asthma with the most common medication, I needed a dose that would cause a seizure in other people,” Alison said.

She joined a clinical trial at National Jewish Health, one of the first in the country for an inhaled corticosteroid. The results offered Alison a new medication with the benefits of prednisone and no awful side effects.

“My first visit to National Jewish Health was life changing,” said Alison. “I got my asthma under control and learned I had to be consistent with my medication; no more stopping and starting it back up when I experienced an exacerbation.”

After many years of good health, Alison’s breathing began to decline again. She was put on additional medication by her primary doctor, but nothing was working. She returned to National Jewish Health.

Alison received a comprehensive panel of tests and procedures that took five days. She then regrouped with her primary National Jewish Health pulmonologist, Laurie A. Manka, MD, who pulled it all together and made sure that Alison understood the test results and an additional diagnosis of tracheobronchomalacia, which is when the airways collapse while breathing.

“I left there feeling that I had a plan,” Alison said. “I knew what was happening in my airways, what medications I responded well to, and how to keep my breathing strong. Now, when new issues arise, such as COVID and long-COVID, I know I can easily contact Dr. Manka for sound advice. I never feel like just a number with her.”

A Commitment to Whole-Person Care

As a psychologist who specializes in helping others manage and improve their lives, Alison sees that same purpose in the physician-scientists at National Jewish Health. “They combine their cutting-edge knowledge with a collaborative effort. This allows them to uncover the underlying cause of disease and provide a continuity of care found nowhere else,” Alison said. “I want to make sure this type of medicine can continue, so I have chosen to support National Jewish Health now and through a legacy gift.”

If you have any question on how you can make a gift, please contact Gordon P. Smith, MBA, CFRE at 1.800.423.8891, Ext. 6549 or smithgo@njhealth.org.