Dave Roman is a straight shooter, literally and figuratively.

Mr. Roman, of Johnstown, played basketball for the University of Pittsburgh more than four decades ago. A quality outside shooter, he was the Panthers' leading scorer for the 1962-63 season, and was voted district college player of the year by local sports writers.

He continues to put those skills to use as a coach for Shoot For Your Good Health, a series of one-day basketball camps for children with asthma. His camps are free and are held at a number of sites throughout the state, with one scheduled for Sept. 27 at St. Bede School, 509 S. Dallas Ave., in Point Breeze.

Children ages 8-14 spend the day, accompanied by a parent or guardian.

"It's a great program for kids," Mr. Roman said. "We promote their interest in basketball and show them that they can do the things that kids [without asthma] do."

The camp was started in 2004 by physician David Skoner and several colleagues. Dr. Skoner is the director of the Division of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology at Allegheny General Hospital, North Side.

His mission is "to teach parents that their asthmatic children can live active and productive lives when they use their [medications] properly and manage their disease appropriately."

Proper use of medication is stressed at these camps. Many asthmatic children use a rescue inhaler, fast-acting medicine.

Some, because they feel better quickly, drop the daily maintenance medicines that are prescribed by doctors. Kids at these camps, however, are taught to manage their medications properly.

The sessions are fast-paced.

"The children go through a pretty good workout," Dr. Skoner said. "We give them two hours of running hard. Doctors are present if the kids need it.

"The workout re-instills confidence in the child's ability to complete a workout in a safe environment. It also gives the parent confidence."

Mr. Roman said: "We cover the fundamentals and teach them to shoot the ball straight. The kids do some ball handling to get their cardiovascular up, some running and dribbling.

According to the American Respiratory Alliance Web site, about 240,000 people in Western Pennsylvania have asthma, and 41 percent of them, or 98,400, are children. Participating in sports can be a frightening experience for them. The symptoms of exercise-induced asthma can last up to an hour and include wheezing, coughing and chest tightness and/or pain.

Many kids drop out of sports, choosing a more sedentary lifestyle of video games and snacks. Some become overweight.

The Alliance strives to destroy that mindset.

"We started these camps to let parents and children know it is important to exercise," said Barbara Kubala, director of community affairs and educational events for the Cranberry-based organization. "Asthma should not prevent you from leading an active lifestyle,"

Shoot for Your Good Health exemplifies that. That program has been successful enough to spawn plans for other camps.

A baseball camp, Bat For Your Good Health, was held July 12 at the Greentree SportsPlex. In the planning stages are Pass For Your Good Health, football; Check For Your Good Health, lacrosse; and Kick For Your Good Health, soccer.

One of the linchpins for the St. Bede camp is John R. Bush, a family and cosmetic dentist with offices Downtown and in Forest Hills. He was coaching basketball at St. Bede when he met Dr. Skoner.

"David approached me [about] hosting a camp that focused on teaching asthmatic children how to enjoy participating in a sport without being fearful of an asthmatic attack," Dr. Bush said. "Through asthma education, the children and their parents would learn what limitations, if any, there were to playing basketball and other sports."

At the camp, Dr. Bush teaches the kids and adults about general oral hygiene, while stressing the importance of a sports mouth guard to protect the teeth.

"Showing the participants photos of sports-related dental injuries has a tremendous impact. There is always the perception 'It won't happen to me,' but if it does, it is extremely devastating and costly to restore.

For more information on asthma healthylungs.org/site/index.php

To register for any of the asthma-related programs held at Greentree SportsPlex, call 412-359-4043.

For more information on asthma healthylungs.org/site/index.php