News

This year has been such a big one for us at The Breathing Association! We moved into a new, larger office at 741 East Broad Street, which now houses our Tobacco Treatment Center of Ohio and a great new training room. Huge thanks to everyone who helped make this move happen—it was a year-long effort, and we’re so grateful.

We also kicked off our first-ever capital campaign and are already 30% toward our goal, thanks to some incredible lead gifts. Another big win was meeting with 30 legislators this spring to talk about our programs, which helped us secure state capital funding—such an exciting milestone for us!

This year, we also launched a volunteer program, and so far, volunteers have contributed over 500 hours to our mission. We’d love for you to join us in 2025, whether in person or virtually.

As the year wraps up, we’d be so thankful if you considered volunteering or making a tax-deductible gift to help us continue our work. Thank you for supporting us and others in the community. Happy holidays from all of us at The Breathing Association!

Take a look inside 35 nonprofit organizations in Central Ohio, who they serve and how they accomplish their missions. This Special Advertising Section was originally published in the December 2024 issue of Columbus Monthly.

As the darker days and colder months approach, income-eligible Ohioans can receive one-time assistance with their home energy bills through a partnership between The Breathing Association and the Ohio Department of Development’s Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program (HEAP) through March 31.

The program assists Ohioans facing service disconnection in the winter months. Qualifying households must have a gross annual income at or below 175% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, that is $54,600.

For some, the looks like help with a Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP)payment or a subsidized energy bill through the department of development.

Before Dr. Iyaad Hasan moved to Columbus two years ago to work as The Breathing Association’s COO and vice president of operations, he earned his nursing doctorate from Case Western Reserve University and traveled the world. Before that, he said he was a HEAP kid himself growing up in Cleveland.

“I am a HEAP child, and I grew up on HEAP for so many years, so I knew exactly what it meant. Of course, I knew about the clinical side too, and it’s about my passion to help the underserved,” he said.

Hasan said The Breathing Association is working to remove barriers to health that people tend to have through the energy assistance program.

“Energy insecurity or utility insecurity is tough, because if I don’t have gas or electric and have a chronic disease, say diabetes, high blood pressure, and I have a family with children in the house, it’s going to take a toll on me. So, it’s not just about the utilities, it’s also about the idea of taking care of your overall health,” Hasan said.

“If I can’t pay my utilities and I’m a diabetic, and I know I need to take diabetic medications, I will probably not use my money to buy my diabetes meds, but instead use it to pay my utilities, because I have to survive.”

Last year, the program assisted nearly 77,000 households in Ohio, providing a total of $23.5 million in benefits.

“When temperatures drop this winter, no one should have to worry about if they can afford to keep their home warm,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development.

Individuals can start their application online, but they must schedule an appointment with their local energy assistance provider to complete the application. The application and list of providers can be found online at energyhelp.ohio.gov.

The Breathing Association is lighting the way to a smoke-free life with Quit Cold Turkey Day!

Alissa Henry talked to Dr. Iyaad Hasan about Thursday’s event. It’s happening from 10am to 1pm at 741 E Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43205

As he explained, it’s part of the National Day of Cessation, The Great American Smokeout is promoted by the American Cancer Society.

The goal is for attendees to get inspired, learn prevention tips, explore treatment options, and take a breath of fresh air toward a healthier future.

This event is free and open to the public and meant to motivate and inspire tobacco users to begin their quit journey.

Quit Cold Turkey Day will feature interactive activities educating guests about tobacco addiction, as well as several healthcare organizations, including Columbus Public Health and Franklin County Public Health with resources and information to share. DJ IQ will be there to provide music.

Plus, in the spirit of “going cold turkey”, free cold turkey sandwiches will be provided.

Free informational seminar led by Dr. Iyaad Hasan, DNP, MBA, APRN, CTTS, The Breathing Association

Thursday, November 21, 2024 from 1:30pm – 3:00pm

741 E Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43205

As part of our Quit Cold Turkey Day, a day of awareness, education, prevention and treatment of tobacco and nicotine addiction, The Breathing Association will host an informative seminar on the rapidly growing trend of oral nicotine. Chew on This: Oral Nicotine in Our Community will focus on the implications of oral nicotine use, providing leaders with the knowledge and tools to address growing concerns, particularly for our youth. Empowering community leaders, teachers, coaches, health professionals, parents and care givers with the knowledge and skills about what oral nicotine is, how it is purchased, and the health effects of this very popular and addictive nicotine product. Please reserve your spot at the link below for this valuable, free event.

Come early for the Quit Cold Turkey Day event, from 10am – 1pm we will host the public under tent in our parking lot for interactive educational displays on nicotine and tobacco addiction. In addition to Columbus Public Health and Franklin County Public Health, fellow healthcare organizations will be on hand sharing resources for nicotine and tobacco cessation for a healthier life. We will have the well-known DJ IQ providing entertainment as well as free cold turkey sandwiches to promote ‘quitting cold turkey’.

On Thursday, November 21^st, 2024, The Breathing Association will host their second annual Quit Cold Turkey Day in the parking lot at their office at 741 E Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205 from 10 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. This event is open to the public, meant to motivate and inspire tobacco users to begin the quit journey. Our education and treatment programs will address nicotine and tobacco addiction. The invitation has been extended to local leaders and legislators. We will feature interactive activities educating guests about tobacco addiction, as well as several healthcare organizations, including Columbus Public Health and Franklin County Public Health with resources and information to share. Well-known DJ IQ will be there to provide music. In the spirit of “going cold turkey”, free cold turkey sandwiches will be provided.

November is an important month for lung health issues. In addition to Lung Cancer Awareness month, we also bring awareness to COPD, both conditions that could be prevented by not smoking or vaping. Whether you are a smoker or care for someone who is, you will have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialists about beginning a healthier future, tobacco free.

“The Great American Smokeout provides smokers with a powerful opportunity to commit to quitting by setting aside a specific day to focus on their journey to becoming smoke-free. Our Quit Cold Turkey Day raises awareness about the health risks of smoking and connects individuals to resources that can support their cessation efforts. Additionally, it highlights the numerous health and financial benefits of quitting, empowering smokers to take control of their well-being and make a positive change.”

Dr. Iyaad Hasan, DNP, MBA, APRN, CTTS, Chief Operating Officer & VP of Operations, The Breathing Association

Quit Cold Turkey Day is The Breathing Association’s part of the much wider annual day of cessation promoted by the American Cancer Society, Great American Smokeout. Supporters of tobacco cessation for decades, The Breathing Association has been working with the City of Columbus for the last year, driving the Make It Make Sense campaign, bringing awareness and cessation to populations targeted by tobacco companies. This event is made possible with the generous support of Columbus Public Health and ADAMH.

Thursday, November 21^st from 8am – 9:30am

741 E Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205

As part of The Breathing Association’s Quit Cold Turkey Day, join our team for some coffee and conversations. Meet our Certified Tobacco Treatment Clinicians as we host an informal conversation about the growing trend of oral nicotine use for primary care providers. Join us in our clinic at 741 E Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205 on Thursday, November 21st from 8am – 9:30am to talk about fostering a supportive network and sharing experiences and solutions. The use of oral nicotine is a concerning trend among our youth and together we can share solutions for prevention and education of the effects of usage.

As part of our day of cessation, from 10am – 1pm we will host the public under tents in our parking lot for interactive educational displays on nicotine and tobacco addiction. In addition to Columbus Public Health and Franklin County Public Health, fellow healthcare organizations will be on hand sharing resources for nicotine and tobacco cessation for a healthier life. We will have the well-known DJ IQ providing entertainment as well as free cold turkey sandwiches to promote ‘quitting cold turkey’.

Thursday, November 21^st
The Breathing Association
741 E Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43205

As part of the National Day of Cessation, The Great American Smokeout, promoted by the American Cancer Society, The Breathing Association will host Quit Cold Turkey Day, a daylong event to motivate, inspire and bring awareness as we educate, share prevention and treatment techniques for tobacco and nicotine addiction. The event will be in three parts:

Coffee & Conversation: Challenges and Strategies Related to Oral Nicotine Use

8:00am – 9:30am

Our Certified Tobacco Treatment Clinicians will host an informal coffee and conversation about the growing trend of oral nicotine use for primary care providers. Join us in our clinic to talk about fostering a supportive network and sharing experiences and solutions. The use of oral nicotine is a concerning trend among our youth and together we can share solutions for prevention and education of the effects of usage.

Quit Cold Turkey Day

10:00am – 1:00pm

This event is open to the public, meant to motivate and inspire tobacco users to begin the quit journey. Our education and treatment programs will address nicotine and tobacco addiction. The invitation has been extended to local leaders and legislators. We will feature interactive activities educating guests about tobacco addiction, as well as several healthcare organizations, including Columbus Public Health and Franklin County Public Health with resources and information to share. Well-known DJ IQ will be there to provide music. In the spirit of “going cold turkey”, free cold turkey sandwiches will be provided.

Supporters of tobacco cessation for decades, The Breathing Association has been working with the City of Columbus for the last year, driving the Make It Make Sense campaign, bringing awareness and cessation to populations targeted by tobacco companies. This event is made possible with the generous support of Columbus Public Health and ADAMH.

Chew on This: Oral Nicotine in Our Community

Free informational seminar led by Dr. Iyaad Hasan, DNP, MBA, APRN, CTTS, The Breathing Association

1:30pm – 3:00pm

From 1:30pm – 3:00pm, we will host an informative seminar on the rapidly growing trend of oral nicotine. Chew on This: Oral Nicotine in Our Community will focus on the implications of oral nicotine use, providing leaders with the knowledge and tools to address growing concerns, particularly for our youth. Empowering community leaders, teachers, coaches, health professionals, parents and care givers with the knowledge and skills about what oral nicotine is, how it is purchased, and the health effects of this very popular and addictive nicotine product. Please reserve your spot at the link below for this valuable, free event.