The European Respiratory Society Congress is one of the biggest events in respiratory research. Three jam-packed days of science, innovation and breakthroughs. Here's what we got excited about at this year’s event.

Maksim has asthma and was only nine years old when he first started campaigning for every child’s right to breathe clean air. He first got involved when his mum Julia helped to launch a successful battle to prevent the local council from building a car park next to his primary school in Manchester City Centre. Maksim, now 14, has become one of Asthma + Lung UK’s most dedicated campaigners for clean air since then. Here he tells us about his journey to joining the fight for clean air.

You may have heard that cases of whooping cough have been rising in the England  recently. Whooping cough can affect people of all ages, but it can be very serious for young babies. Here I explain what whooping cough is, why very small babies are most at risk, and how getting vaccinated in pregnancy is the best way to protect your child. 

Our research reveals that many people with lung conditions are being diagnosed too late, misdiagnosed, or are not getting the right treatment, leading them to become seriously ill and in need of hospital care. We’re issuing a plea to our new government to tackle this urgently.

Earlier this year. Grace , who is part of our Research + Innovation team, challenged herself to walk 100 miles in March to raise money for Asthma + Lung UK. After signing up, she had the surprising realisation that she was one of the one in five people in the UK who will be diagnosed with a lung condition in their lifetime. Here she tells us about her staggering diagnosis of tuberculosis and her fundraising journey.

Our supporter, Clarrie, took on a cycling challenge for Asthma + Lung UK. Here she tells why she took part in the challenge and how much of a difference it’s made to her wellbeing.

If you're heading off to a festival this summer don't forget to pack your asthma inhalers as well as your wellies! You can’t always avoid asthma triggers like cigarette smoke and changing weather at festivals, but your asthma doesn’t have to stop you from having fun.

Last week, communities across England voted for their new Metro Mayors. Here in the Clean Air team at Asthma + Lung UK, we’ve been busy making sure that mayoral candidates understood the need to protect everyone’s lungs from toxic air. Read on to hear what we’ve been doing across the UK to keep the pressure on for clean air in our communities.

Road traffic is one of the leading sources of air pollution in the UK’s towns and cities, and urgent action is needed to clean up the way we travel. However, some communities are disproportionately affected by toxic air and are being excluded from policies designed to tack air pollution. Chloe from our policy team talks us through our new work with IPPR and Transport for All showing how clean air zone policies can be implemented to ensure no one is left behind.

On International Women’s Day, our Director of Research and Innovation, Dr Sam Walker, reflects on her career as a woman in research and the importance of researching how lung conditions affect women in different ways.

On 2 May, communities across England will head to the ballot box to vote for their new Metro Mayor. Here in the clean air team at Asthma + Lung UK, we’re campaigning for mayoral candidates to protect everyone’s lungs from toxic air pollution.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science is an opportunity to promote full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls. Dr Sam Walker, Director of Research and Innovation at Asthma + Lung UK introduces some of the amazing women in respiratory research we’re funding.

Damp is a common issue, especially in old houses or those in need of repair. Damp and mould can be a problem if you have a lung condition so fixing damp issues is important. Here’s what you can do about damp and mould if you live in a rented home.

Today it’s a well-established fact that lung conditions can be influenced by our genes. But this wasn’t always the case. Pioneering research funded by Asthma UK, one of the founding organisations of Asthma + Lung UK, discovered the first genetic link to asthma. Dr Samantha Walker, Director of Research and Innovation, tells us all about this ground-breaking research and the importance of its legacy today.

This October, we hosted our first Birmingham Clean Air Community Conference. In partnership with the Clean Air Justice Network, the event brought together inspiring people from all over the city to fight for clean air. Maddy from the Clean Air Team tells us all about this fantastic day.

Our supporter Lesley ran for Team Breathe in the London Landmarks Half Marathon this year. Here she tells us about her journey to running half marathons and why supporting Asthma + Lung UK is so important to her and her family.

E-cigarettes, also known as vapes, can be a useful tool to help quit smoking, but they don’t come without risks. Laura from our policy team discusses the challenges of disposable vapes and what the government needs to do about them.

Over 1 in 3 people with COPD report symptoms of anxiety and depression. Yet, challenges with mental health are often under-recognised and under-treated in people living with chronic lung disease. Dr Lisa Brighton tells us about her important research into ways to support people with COPD and their mental health.

Ten-year-old Nancy, who has asthma, was delighted to go to No 10 to help hand in our petition calling for the Government to set up a Cleaner Travel Access Fund. Here she tells us what it was like going to Downing Street and why she wanted to support our campaign for cleaner air.

Respiratory care in the UK is in crisis. People with lung conditions are suffering – and even dying - needlessly. That’s why we’ve launched a new campaign to ensure people living with lung conditions get the care and treatment they desperately need. Our CEO, Sarah Woolnough, explains why we need to do more to get the government’s attention, and how you can help.