Alpha-1-antitrypsin is a protein normally produced in the liver whose primary function is to protect the lungs. When tissue in the lungs is damaged or infected, the body releases substances to help the lungs heal. An enzyme, known as neutrophil elastase, is produced to help get rid of the damaged cells or bacteria. However, if left unchecked, this enzyme can attack healthy lung tissue as well. The Alpha-1-antitrypsin protein helps to control the enzyme so it does not damage healthy lung tissue.

Some people do not have or make enough Alpha-1-antitrypsin to help protect the lungs. This is known as Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) or Alpha-1. Alpha-1 is a hereditary condition. People who do not have enough Alpha-1 are more likely to get lung disease, such as emphysema. Once diagnosed with emphysema as a result of this condition, adults with Alpha-1 face progressive loss of lung function that can significantly impact everyday life and life expectancy.

Symptoms of Alpha-1 include shortness of breath on exertion, wheezing, and cough. Because wheezing and shortness of breath are common symptoms, Alpha-1 is often misdiagnosed as other chronic lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma.

Alpha-1 is widely under diagnosed. Of the 100,000 individuals in the United States estimated to have it, only about 10 percent have been identified. Many times, the symptoms are misdiagnosed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or even asthma.

Alpha-1 can be detected by a simple test that determines the level of ATT in the blood. The most common signs and symptoms of alpha-1 are:

• The Alpha-1 Foundation is dedicated to providing leadership and resources to increase research, improve health, and result in the worldwide detection of and a cure for Alpha-1. This site contains an excellent explanation of Alpha-1, provides health tips, and offers a free Alpha-1 testing kit.
• The Alpha-1 Association’s goal is to provide support, education, and advocacy for people with Alpha-1, offer information to assist healthcare professionals, and support research on Alpha-1.
• AlphaNet is a not-for-profit health management company providing services exclusively to the Alpha community. Its goals are to help Alphas develop greater independence and control of their health care, promote optimal health and fund compassionate care for Alphas, and support Alpha-1 awareness, detection, and scientific research.

Poem A won in our office – How does it stack up online? Please submit your vote for the best EAGLES poem!! 

POEM A –  The Night Before Sunday!

‘Twas the Night before Sunday and all through the park, not a player was praying, not even B. Dawk.

The helmets were shined, ready to go, the players were itching before the big show.

Big Red isn’t shaving; he’s ready to roll, for tomorrow will bring, a trip to the bowl.

We’ll make it this time, you’ll see and you’ll know, because we are without our problem child T.O.

Akers will rock; Runyan will roll, for another parade, this one in the cold.

We love our Eagles, oh faithful our fans, we bleed green every year, and freeze in the stands.

They whistle and shout and call them by name;

“Now Donovan to Westbrook, or Jackson to Smith,

To the Red Zone they’ll fly! See-ya later Arizona, bye bye”

For year after year, we love to say ‘oh hail to the Eagles, for this is our day!

GO EAGLES GO, and to all a good fight!!

( Poem A by Amy Behnke & The Springdale Team )

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POEM B

What A Season!

What A Season! What A Season!

Donovan was benched! Andy came to his defense. The fans wanted his head. we shouted “Put Kolb in instead”. We wanted Donovan to die when he said on Fox Live. “A Game Can’t End In A Tie”…

What A Season! What A Season!

Week after week nothing but defeat, could the Vikings stop us from our “Wild Card Seat?” Tampa & Chicago needed losses, we all prayed and carried crosses. A victory from Dallas would erase all our losses.

What A Season! What A Season!

T.O. & Romo were considered the best. I hope there both getting their rest. Our receptionist shouted “It Was Fixed”, who would think we would beat them 44 to 6.

What A Season! What A Season!

Then comes the Giants “The Superbowl Champs!” Our Victory that past Sunday gave our boss severe stomach cramps!

What A Season! What A Season!

Arizona is warming and very sunny!! Watch out Cardinals, the Eagles are coming!!

What A Season! What A Season!

A True Eagles Fan!!

( Poem B by Julie Roberts )

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POEM C

The Eagles Road to Tampa

Sunday afternoon 3pm, I saw green in the sky,
I felt the pride & pounded my chest,
I know the Eagles were gonna fly.

Now while I believe in Reid & 5,
B Dawk will lead us to our high.
It’s true the Cardinals will try & steal a win,
But our Birds will be the ones standing in the end.

Were gonna go all the way,
Streaking down that playoff road to Super Sunday.
To a field in Tampa our Eagles will soar,
Years of disappointment will be no more.

The Phillies were the first to be the ones,
To bring a championship home to the City of Brotherly Love.
While we cried tears of joy for our Phils,
No one can imagine how many dreams a Super Bowl would fulfill.

So on that warm Tampa night,
Amidst the hoopla and hype.
There’ll be no need to cry,
We’ll just sing loud & proud…..

FLY EAGLES FLY!!

( Poem C by Don Lepek )

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