As a life-long asthmatic, Michele Andrew knows what it means to struggle for breath. She dedicated her career in respiratory care to helping people with lung disease. But Michelle didn’t stop there and her contributions as a volunteer and supporter of the ALA in Idaho are impressive.

More than 10 years ago, Michele was instrumental in helping to create Camp Super Breathers, the ALA in Idaho’s residential asthma camp.  Not only did Michele use her position at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center to help plan and staff asthma camp, she used her connections to secure funding for camp through the hospital’s foundation and credit union to ensure that any child in Idaho could attend camp, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

Michele continues to serve on the camp’s planning committee and volunteers a week of her time every year to attend camp.

Michele retired last year after almost 40 years, but hasn’t slowed down. In addition to her ongoing commitment to camp, Michele also volunteers as facilitator for the ALA in Idaho’s Better Breathers Club, a support group for people with COPD that meets monthly in Boise for presentations and discussions on living better with lung disease. 

The ALA in Idaho and indeed the entire state have reaped the rewards of Michele’s years of expertise and dedication. Through her involvement in the state tobacco coalition, Idaho’s smoking laws banned smoking in restaurants and bowling alleys. And literally hundreds of Idaho kids with asthma have benefitted from a stay at Camp Super Breathers.

For all that Michele has done, the ALA in Idaho is proud to honor her for National Volunteer Week. We owe many thanks to her and her family. It’s not unusual to see Michele’s husband Ron helping with camp preparations and attending events supporting camp. When the couple isn’t lending a supporting hand, they find time for touring on their motorcycles.