Respiratory Care Week
National Respiratory Care Week has been celebrated for more than 40 years, bringing attention and awareness to this critical healthcare role! How to Celebrate National Respiratory Care Week Thank a Respiratory Therapist Whether a friend, family member or colleague, show some appreciation to a respiratory therapist during this important week.
Honor respiratory therapists and drive awareness of lung health during peak respiratory illness season with employee appreciation and community education initiatives.
- Thank a respiratory therapist campaign—spotlight stories from healthcare workers and patients they've helped
- Host or promote free community lung-health screenings and educational events in partnership with local hospitals or clinics
- Employee appreciation ideas: gift guides for thanking respiratory care professionals with small gestures
- Respiratory health tips content: smoking cessation, allergen management, and lung disease prevention resources
This important health event has been taking place since its inaugural celebration in 1982.
It was officially established through presidential proclamation by US President Ronald Reagan with the purpose of not only honoring respiratory therapists but also to raise awareness and educate the public about the critical topic of healthy lungs and respiratory systems.
Since its inception, the primary sponsor of the event has been the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC).
The decision to celebrate during this time of year is intentional, as it is a time when many people who have lung diseases have a particularly difficult time breathing.
Thank a Respiratory Therapist
Whether a friend, family member or colleague, show some appreciation to a respiratory therapist during this important week. Say thank you with a cup of coffee, a sweet treat, a catered lunch or a bunch of balloons! It doesn’t need to be a big gesture, just a small acknowledgement of the work they do to help people breathe better and live healthier lives is enough.
Join a Community Event
Many times, during National Respiratory Care Week, local organizations will provide various screenings and information sessions. This might take place at a medical center, a public library, university hospital or some other place that is working to celebrate respiratory care by making their community a healthier place, one lung at a time!
Host a Respiratory Care Event
And if you can’t find an event taking place in your community? Consider gathering together a group of health care and medical professionals to host one. Perhaps it could be an educational event for school children or the local community, to encourage proper lung health through quitting smoking, taking care with allergens or learning about other risks and challenges in the world of respiratory health.
Share Your Story
If you’ve ever been in need of a respiratory therapist, perhaps National Respiratory Care Week would be a good time to show it. Take to social media and use your influence to say thank you and encourage others to show appreciation during this week. Sharing is caring and the more people you tell, the more you can protect!
Learn About Respiratory Therapy
One of the goals of this event is to raise public awareness about respiratory care. If you don’t know much, use this as an opportunity to do some research and learn more about what these health care professionals do. From diagnosing and treating respiratory disorders to operating equipment such as ventilators, these professionals are vital to patients all over the world.
Support Respiratory Care Research
Put your support in action by making a donation to the AARC or some other organization that is dedicated to improving lung health and respiratory care. This might be through funding research and medical trials or providing practical care for those who are in need.