The APSR is registered1 as a non-profit organisation (NPO), which means any surplus funds are retained for use by the Society, and not distributed as dividends to its members. This corporate status also means that the APSR's accounts are independently audited. However, the NPO status does not exempt the APSR from paying tax, and the Society needs your help to redress this.

To attain organizational tax exemption status, the APSR needs a minimum number of relatively small donations, and details are shown on the list of donors and also thedonation form.

The purpose of the donation is twofold: First, to increase our educational opportunities to young researchers and enrich the contents of seminars, making them more beneficial. Second, each donation of US$40 or more will count towards the Society's goal to be exempt from paying tax. This in turn will increase the amount available for activities in promoting healthcare training, research, education and advocacy in the Asia-Pacific region.

The 21st Congress of the APSR is on 12-15 November 2016, hosted by the Thoracic Society of Thailand.

The Asian Pacific Society of Respirology was established in 1986. The objectives of the Society are the advancement and promotion of knowledge of the respiratory system in health and disease. It strives to encourage research, improve clinical practice throughteaching, increase awareness of health problems in the area and promote the exchange of knowledge among respirologists in the Asia-Pacific region. The specific aims of the Society are:

• Promoting and coordinating activities in the field of respiratory medicine

• Fostering research activities in the field of respiratory medicine

• Organizing and coordinating regular congresses and occasional meetings

• Producing regular publications, including a Newsletter, the APSR Respiratory Updates and Respirology, a journal of international repute