The Asthma Team™ is a social support network driven by a nationwide coalition of individuals, families and agencies who power the Tackling Asthma™ movement of inspiration and education.

Asthma Facts

• An estimated 23 million Americans suffer from Asthma.
• Asthma is one of the most common chronic conditions among children.
• Asthma is the third-ranking cause of hospitalization among children.
• Asthma is the leading cause of school absenteeism.
• Asthma accounts for more than 14 million total missed days of school.

The Asthma Team™ Movement

Chris Draft, NFL linebacker, and founder of the Chris Draft Family Foundation, launched the Asthma Team™ in 2007, at the beginning of the NFL season. Following an asthma attack during the first week of the Rams’ training camp, he realized that as he was beginning to work with local organizations across the country that promoted asthma awareness and education, that he needed to figure out a way reach out to people nationwide.   To accomplish this goal, Chris needed to create a team, united by the common goal of Tackling Asthma™.

Chris knew he could take his message of education, awareness and inspiration further, that he could reach more people by partnering with families, children and organizations across the country that are working diligently to teach their community that asthma is manageable and that asthma attacks are preventable. By being advocates for general improvements in public health and working with groups dedicated to decreasing outdoor air pollution and the prevalence of secondhand smoke, the prevalence of asthma can be greatly reduced.

To accomplish this goal, Chris needed to create a team, united by the common goal of Tackling Asthma™. Recruiting children for the Asthma Team, and families to join in the battle in Tackling Asthma™ started on the road at the first away game for the St. Louis Rams, Chris' team during the 2007 season, in Tampa Bay.

Every day throughout this season, in every away city that the Bufflo Bills visit, Chris meets and invites his new Asthma Team™ Ambassadors and their families to stand with him, so that every time #52 makes a tackle, he tackles asthma, and the team is right there behind him.

The Asthma Team™ is a partnership between families, children and organizations across the country that are working diligently to teach their community that asthma is manageable and that asthma attacks are preventable. By being advocates for general improvements in public health and working with groups dedicated to decreasing outdoor air pollution and the prevalence of second-hand smoke, the prevalence of asthma can be greatly reduced.