ALA Milestones

1904: National Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis is formed. First nationwide, voluntary health organization aimed at conquering a specific disease.

1907: First Christmas Seals are printed and sold to raise money for a cash-strapped TB sanitorium on the Brandywine River in Delaware.

1929: National Association supports research into how to improve X-ray machines and techniques.

1930-1940: National Association teams with public health system to conduct mass screenings using tuberculin skin tests and chest X-rays.

1948: National Association launches fellowships program at universities, producing many leading pulmonologists.

1958: National Association adds asthma, emphysema, and other lung diseases to its portfolio.

1960: First anti-tobacco campaign begins.

1963: "Clean Air Committees" established.

1973: Name changed to American Lung Association.

1984: "The Asthma Handbook" issued.

1993: ALA, under President Lee Reichman’s direction, successfully campaigns to double federal appropriations for TB project grants, from $15.3 million to $34.4 million, and makes $39.3 million in emergency grants.