The Lung Association of Saskatchewan is a Canadian Registered Charity, BN/Registration number 872304811RR0001.
The Association is governed by a policy-governance board composed of volunteers elected by the general membership.

The Saskatchewan Anti-Tuberculosis League

The "Great White Plague" was the name used to describe tuberculosis. To fight the highly contagious disease the Saskatchewan Anti-Tuberculosis League was formed in 1911. Under its auspices Fort Qu'Appelle Sanatorium, pictured above, was opened in 1917 to provide rest and fresh air. But the  cure was long and tedious; few could afford to remain until they were healed. So in 1929, through the League's urging, Saskatchewan was the first province to make the care and treatment of tuberculosis free of charge.

Dr. Ferguson, the medical director of the "San," had a strong commitment to fighting tuberculosis and tremendous compassion for TB patients. Doctors, nurses, and staff walked that extra mile to help the patients. The patients themselves cheered and nurtured those around them. A caring, loving atmosphere permeated the sanatoria. Bonds of friendship were formed which remained strong despite time and distance.

That powerful sense of the each individual's worth continues to permeate the activities of the Saskatchewan Lung Association. The Mission Statement reflects how the Saskatchewan Lung Association has maintained the League's fervent belief in everyone's right to lung health. Each year it re-commits all staff and volunteers to the purpose.

See also:

• The 100 Year Timeline of the Lung Association of Saskatchewan
• Our history in the fight against Tuberculosis
• The Double-Barred Cross
• Dr. R. G. Ferguson

The Lung Association of Saskatchewan Today

Education and research had always been important elements of the Anti-Tuberculosis League's activities. Today these are the dominant activities of the Lung Association of Saskatchewan. Research into the causes and treatment of lung disease, and education of medical practitioners, the public, and those who suffer from respiratory diseases.

A lot has changed since 1911. Even as tuberculosis was brought under control other respiratory ailments became increasingly troublesome; asthma, emphysema, COPD. The League added new projects and began to take new paths to deal with this broader area of respiratory disease. In 1987 the name of the organization was changed to the Saskatchewan Lung Association to reflect this broader concern for the respiratory health of the people of Saskatchewan. The caring atmosphere however, remained unchanged. It was still friends and neighbors doing their best for those they cared about.

In 2002 the Saskatchewan Lung Association decided to make some major changes in order to create a structure that would be better positioned to fulfill the mission of improving respiratory health in Saskatchewan.

The creation of the Lung Foundation of Saskatchewan provides an organisation with a specific focus on collecting and managing an endowment fund to ensure long-term funding for lung health activities in the province. The Lung Association of Saskatchewan will focus on the development and delivery of lung health programs, education, research support, advocacy and general awareness of lung health issues, all of which are supported by fund raising campaigns. The Lung Association of Saskatchewan is a member of the Canadian Lung Association partnership.

Although these two charities operate independently of each other, they share administrative services so that overhead costs are kept to a minimum. Both are autonomous organisations and are Saskatchewan-based with independent volunteer boards of directors.

The Lung Association of Saskatchewan is a member of the Canadian Lung Association.