Dubai Garden's Floral Lungs Raise Awareness
Dubai Miracle Garden's New Lungs Installation Raises Health Awareness
Dubai Miracle Garden, the world's largest flower garden, is renowned not only for its stunning visuals and flower-laden paths but also for raising important health awareness. The garden's latest installation, a lung-shaped artwork made from flowers, aims to increase awareness about Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD). This spectacular yet deeply symbolic creation was unveiled on February 22nd and serves as the culmination of the 'Think Lungs' campaign, co-organized by Boehringer Ingelheim and the Emirates Thoracic Society (ETS).
Why a Lung-Shaped Installation?
The installation is not only striking but also profoundly symbolic. The lung-shaped formation of flowers represents both the fragility and vitality of lung diseases. The head of the Pulmonology Department at Rashid Hospital and vice-president of the Emirates Thoracic Society highlighted that the aim was for visitors to not just visit the garden for its beauty and perfect selfies, but also for it to create health awareness.
"People generally visit the Dubai Miracle Garden for beauty and perfect selfies, not necessarily for health awareness. Our challenge was to transform this space into a platform for lung health education," he said.
Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) encompasses more than 200 progressive and often fatal lung disorders that cause inflammation and scarring in the lung tissue. In many cases, symptoms become noticeable late while the disease silently and invisibly progresses, gradually making breathing more difficult. Early awareness and prevention are crucial in managing the disease.
"We created an installation that can't be ignored – a pair of lungs made from flowers, fragile yet full of life. It's a visual metaphor: like flowers, our lungs need care, and often show the first signs of damage when it's too late," he emphasized.
Why is it important to talk about ILD?
When asked why the focus is on ILD, "Many only recognize ILD when it's too late. Unlike a heart attack, ILD silently, invisibly scars the lungs. Early awareness is crucial for effective treatment."
The campaign drew inspiration from the 'Breathtaking Moments' concept, aiming to change public perception. "We often associate 'breathtaking' with beautiful experiences," he explained. "But for those with ILD, every breath is a struggle. We wanted to encourage people to think about the moments that truly take their breath away and consider the importance of lung health."
The Priority of Lung Health
He emphasized that lung health should be a priority in people's lives. "We monitor our heart rate, follow our fitness routines but often forget about our lungs. Awareness of ILD is vital because many haven't even heard of this disease. We need to start conversations about lung health before symptoms arise. Without this, we miss the chance to make real change."
He envisions the campaign's success in forming a community that understands lung health's importance. "I imagine a society where people walk not just for fitness but as part of their body's routine check-up. Increased awareness of ILD could lead to early detection and better treatment outcomes. Imagine someone recognizing symptoms early and receiving timely treatment. This is the type of success we're striving for – awareness, early detection, and ultimately, a healthier community."
The new installation at Dubai Miracle Garden is not just a spectacular artwork but also a powerful message: our lungs are the foundation of life, and caring for them is essential. The campaign aims to inspire awareness in every visitor and help ensure lung health becomes a priority not just for patients but for all of us.
