Rallying Against Asthma: Emily’s Story

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This article includes the personal experiences of Emily G, an actual patient with asthma. Individual experiences may vary.

This year’s CIBC Texas Open welcomed an Official PPA Partner, FASENRA® (benralizumab) injection, for subcutaneous use, to provide education and show support for health both on and off the pickleball court.

FASENRA is a prescription medicine used with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of severe eosinophilic asthma in people 6 years and older whose asthma is not controlled with their current asthma medicines. FASENRA is not used to treat sudden breathing problems. Do not use FASENRA if you are allergic to benralizumab or any of the ingredients in FASENRA. Do not use to treat sudden breathing problems. Please see the full Important Safety Information below, and the Prescribing Information including Patient Information for FASENRA.

Through its partnership with the PPA, FASENRA is championing education and awareness of eosinophilic asthma—a chronic condition that impacts over 80% of adults with severe asthma.^1* As part of this multi-year collaboration, FASENRA and the PPA are rallying communities together, encouraging people to talk to their healthcare providers about asthma control and exploring treatments that may help them return to the activities they love—like the fast-growing sport of pickleball.

*A registry study considered ~84% of severe asthma patients most likely to have eosinophilic asthma based on several factors, including increased blood eosinophil levels (≥150 cells/μL).

The partnership brings interactive experiences to life, from digital education to high-energy activations at tournaments across the country. At the CIBC Texas Open in Dallas, fans had the chance to “rally against asthma” at an immersive gameplay experience that combined movement with learning. Players practiced their serve on a ten-feet-tall LED screen by aiming pickleballs on trainers at moving targets representing eosinophils. FASENRA reduces blood eosinophils, a type of white blood cell that may contribute to severe asthma. The mechanism of action in asthma has not been definitively established. Every successful hit earned points, tracked in real-time on a leaderboard.

In addition to the gameplay, attendees could visit the FASENRA booth to learn more about the brand, hear real patient stories, and be better equipped to speak to their doctors about their asthma management plan.

In the spirit of joining together eosinophilic asthma and FASENRA education, we’ve partnered with FASENRA to interview Emily G, a real patient living with severe eosinophilic asthma, who recently shared her journey and her newfound love of pickleball in a brief Q&A.

Could you please share about how your diagnosis originally impacted your active lifestyle? What first got you thinking about wanting to play pickleball?

“I played tennis for about 7-8 years, and I also played a few pickleball games, which I thought were really fun and a different experience compared to tennis. But due to my asthma, I had to use a (rescue) inhaler at times before, while and after I played. It was getting to the point where I thought I could not keep up, so I stopped. 

But my husband wanted to join a pickleball team because pickleball has gotten big in my hometown in Michigan. My husband is an active player now and he keeps saying to me, ‘you know, your asthma is under control.’ So, I don’t really have any excuses! But back then, asthma did take me away from my love of fitness and having an active lifestyle.”

FASENRA is a prescription medicine used with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of asthma in people 6 years and older whose asthma is not controlled with their current asthma medicines. FASENRA helps prevent severe asthma attacks (exacerbations) and may improve your breathing. FASENRA is not used to treat sudden breathing problems. Please continue reading for additional Important Safety Information and see the full Prescribing Information including Patient Information. Always talk to your doctor.

This is Emily’s experience. Individual experiences may vary.

Can you tell us more about your asthma journey and how it led to an eosinophilic asthma diagnosis?

“I also love walking, and I try to take a walk every day. There was a time when I would walk with my husband, and it was difficult to talk and walk at the same time because I could not get enough air. I was in a vicious cycle where I was getting asthma attacks (exacerbations) more often than before. Asthma took me away from everything I loved and everything that I wanted to do.

In late 2021, I was running through the Salt Lake City airport to try to get a flight to see my grandchildren, but I struggled. That’s how bad my symptoms had gotten. So that’s when I decided to take action and have a discussion with my doctor.

It was not until I got a blood test at my doctor’s office where I found out my eosinophil count was high. This eventually led to my diagnosis with eosinophilic asthma.  I discussed the benefits and risks with my doctor and we then added FASENRA to my treatment plan, which has worked for me. 

I now go walking with my daughter, Lizzy, for 2 miles and I feel like I can keep going and going! And I can also keep up and play with my grandkids—who I adore dearly!”

This is Emily’s experience. Individual results may vary.

Please see Important Safety Information below and see the full Prescribing Information including the Patient Information for FASENRA and talk to your doctor.

Do you have any tips or advice for those living with asthma?

“Make sure to seek out doctors or healthcare providers who are up-to-date on treatment options. If recommended, seek a blood test counting eosinophil levels. And lastly, do not give up! 

This is Emily’s experience. Individual experiences may vary.

What do you think about FASENRA’s partnership with the PPA?

“When I first heard about the FASENRA and PPA partnership, I thought it was a great idea! It’s so important to keep educated on health and especially eosinophilic asthma for all patients out there. I think this is a sign from the universe for me to get more into pickleball.”

When do you plan to hit the pickleball courts next?

“I cannot wait to get back to the pickleball courts with my husband and some friends very soon! I might even bring along my grandkids.” 

Visit www.fasenra.com for more information. To find out if FASENRA may be right for you, talk to your doctor. FASENRA will continue their tournament presence this year at the FASENRA Virginia Beach Pickleball Cup (October 8-12), bringing interactive experiences and information. You don’t want to miss it! 

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION 

Do not use FASENRA if you are allergic to benralizumab or any of the ingredients in FASENRA. Do not use to treat sudden breathing problems.

FASENRA may cause serious side effects, including:

• allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions, including anaphylaxis. Serious allergic reactions can happen after you get your FASENRA injection. Allergic reactions can sometimes happen hours or days after you get your injection. Tell your healthcare provider or get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction:
  • swelling of your face, mouth and tongue
  • breathing problems
  • fainting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded (low blood pressure)
  • rash
  • hives

Before using FASENRA, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• are taking oral or inhaled corticosteroid medicines. Do not stop taking your corticosteroid medicines unless instructed by your healthcare provider. This may cause other symptoms that were controlled by the corticosteroid medicine to come back
• have a parasitic (helminth) infection
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if FASENRA will harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant during your treatment with FASENRA
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if FASENRA passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you use FASENRA 
• are taking prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements

Do not stop taking your other asthma medicines unless instructed to do so by your healthcare provider. Tell your healthcare provider if your asthma does not get better or if it gets worse after you start treatment with FASENRA.

The most common side effects of FASENRA include: headache and sore throat. These are not all the possible side effects of FASENRA.  

Approved Use

FASENRA is a prescription medicine used with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of asthma in people 6 years and older whose asthma is not controlled with their current asthma medicines. FASENRA is not used to treat sudden breathing problems.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information and Instructions for Use, and talk to your doctor.