Robert MacDonald, President & CEO of the Lung Association of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island (LungNSPEI), has dedicated more than a decade to advancing lung health and addiction prevention in Atlantic Canada. Since first joining the organization in 2011 and stepping into the CEO role in 2017, MacDonald has helped expand programs, strengthen financial stability, and lead a successful merger with the PEI Lung Association. Motivated by both professional expertise in health promotion and a deeply personal connection to the cause, he continues to advocate for bold policies and practical supports that improve breathing and save lives.
When did you start/join it?
I first joined the Lung Association of Nova Scotia in 2011 as Manager of Health Initiatives, and later became President & CEO in 2017.
What made you want to get involved?
My professional background is in health promotion, so working with a health charity focused on prevention and early detection was a natural fit. On a personal level, it was very close to home. My father passed away from lung cancer just three months before I started. As a child, I was always encouraging him to quit smoking, and eventually, he did. Unfortunately, the damage had already been done. While my approach has evolved since those early days, the passion remains the same: helping people who are struggling with tobacco addiction and supporting those living with breathing issues.
What was the situation like when you started?
In 2011, the organization had recently purchased the building we still own and operate from today. That decision by leadership proved invaluable and has provided long-term financial stability. From an issues perspective, many of the challenges were the same as they are now: smoking, sleep apnea, COPD, and asthma, with one emerging concern: vaping. Unfortunately, vaping has since grown into a major epidemic among youth.
How has it changed since?
In 2023, we successfully merged with the PEI Lung Association to form LungNSPEI. The merger has worked extremely well, increasing our capacity in both provinces while reducing administrative costs. In addition, the health charity landscape in Atlantic Canada has shifted, with many organizations becoming more centralized and reducing their regional presence. In contrast, we’ve been able to grow our staff and maintain a strong local footprint.
That said, the charitable sector has become increasingly challenging. The number of nonprofits continues to grow, donor populations are aging, and the rising cost of living makes it harder for people to give. At the same time, the cost of fundraising continues to rise, making sustainable revenue more difficult to achieve.
What more needs to be done?
Like many charities, we hope governments will introduce policies that make charitable giving more accessible and appealing. From a health perspective, one policy we strongly support is a Smoke-Free Generation. It’s a simple concept: if you were born after a certain date, you would never be able to legally purchase tobacco or vaping products. It’s a forward-thinking policy that protects youth and future generations from addiction and long-term health harms. If we truly want to put health first, this is the kind of bold thinking that could also result in enormous long-term savings for our healthcare system.
How can our readers help?
Readers can sign our online petition in support of Smoke-Free Generation. Another meaningful way to help is through our Sleep Apnea Refurbishment Program. We accept gently-used sleep apnea machines, refurbish them, and provide them to people who can’t afford one. If you, or someone you know, has a machine that’s no longer being used, please consider donating it. One person’s unused equipment can truly change another person’s life. We accept machines from across the country.
Where can we follow you?
Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | LinkedIn
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
Hospice Halifax
