Sisterhood: Jade, Meg and Emma Vaughan.
ERIN PEARSON
SISTERS Emma, Jade and Meg Vaughan will commemorate the death of their mother next weekend with a fundraiser for the Asthma Foundation.
The trio’s mother Sue died from an asthma attack five years ago and the girls want to raise awareness of the dangers around the illness.
Emma said her mother’s asthma had always been under control until a virus heightened the condition.
“Most people don’t know that asthma can actually kill people, it’s a silent condition,” she said.
“The more people we talk to the more we realise so many suffer from asthma and we really want to raise awareness of this.
“We want to honor mum’s memory and help make sure other families don’t go through what we had to.”
Emma said the sisters had learned to grow up fast.
“The fundraising makes us feel like we’re doing something helpful,” she said.
“It was five years ago when it all happened but it still feels like yesterday.”
Asthma Foundation Victoria said more than two million Australians have doctor diagnosed asthma – one in nine children and one in 10 adults.
And in 2007, 385 people in Australia died from asthma, the foundation said.
Common triggers included colds and flu, cigarette smoke, pollens, dust mites and changes in temperature.
The fundraiser would auction off items to add to the $8000 Sue’s family raised last year through sausage sizzles, raffles and silent auction nights.
Asthma Foundation Victoria chief executive officer Robin Ould said better informed people with asthma and their carers assisted the management of asthma and could reduce the burden on both families and community.
“We congratulate the Leeman and Vaughan families for the work they do in helping to raise important funds to continue the education programs in the community,” he said.
“The foundation is extremely proud of the efforts of these community groups.”
Blow Asthma Away fundraiser is on October 8 at Anglesea Hotel from 7pm to 10pm.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased from the Independent, Anglesea Hair Studio or at the door.
