COPD Awareness Month - An Editorial From Cecil Montgomery

This is COPD Awareness Month. It is scheduled for Nov of every year. World COPD Awareness Day is 14 Nov, 2007. This is a world wide effort to recognize COPD for what it is and assist in raising awareness of its low rating in research and development world wide.
COPD is the fourth largest killer in the US and the world. It is expected to be number three by 2015. Very few people who don't have this disease have any idea how debilitating it can be. Our symptoms are not so distinguishable to other people and sometimes to ourselves until we have developed into the later stages. This is the month that we should be making these points known and advertising the lack of resources and prevention.
I am fully aware that most people, like myself, are not especially crazy about drawing attention to ourselves and publicizing our problems. This can be done in other ways such as writing a letter to the local newspaper for the letter to the editor section. Notify your local Drs offices and clinics, leave brochures in their offices with their consent, request permission to leave brochures in hospital lobbies and waiting rooms. I can get some samples of brochures if requested. You might also check local papers and news channels for any planned occasions during this month.

A sample of a letter that could be used for a letter to the Editor:

I want to take this opportunity to let every one know that this is COPD Awareness Month. It is scheduled every year in November and world wide COPD Day is always the second or third Wednesday in November.
This is my way of saying that COPD is a chronic disease and not a terminal one.
If you suspect you may be developing respiratory problems then take the time this month to get checked. You might check the local area and find someone is giving free tests in honor of COPD Month.
I belong to a COPD education group on line called the COPD Survivors. Our address is copdsurvivors@yahoogroups.com If you have computer capabilities then give us a visit if you want to know about COPD. We don't have all the answers but we do have some great people who are knowledgeable and willing to help. If one person takes the time to get educated on COPD then we have taught as many as they can reach out to.

Signature:
Phone number:

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Our Own Heroine

I knew we had a very outspoken COPD advocate in our midst. However, I didn't know how much of an activist she is. I was browsing the net a short while ago and I happened to run across a list of her accomplishments on the GOLD homepage for this year in relationship to COPD Support. Check the list below: Believe it or not she doesn't have COPD. She is doing all of this in memory of her father. Lori we salute you and all the few others that have been acquainted with this illness and walked a mile in our shoes figuratively.

2007 - Lori Palermo

Love Your Lungs, Breathe For Life

EVENT INFO:

Activities for Patients and the Public

1. Participating in the WALK FOR LIFE AND BREATH on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007 at Nay Aug Park, Scranton, Pa. This event will raise funds for the American Lung Association.

2. Holding three COPD Health Fairs:
Nov. 11, 2007 - The Mall at Steamtown, Scranton, PA,
Nov. 14, 2007 - World COPD Day, Distribute Gold Ribbons throughout my community and COPD information in Gouldsboro, PA,
Nov. 17, 2007 - The Viewmont Mall, Scranton, PA,
and Nov. 25, 2007 - Bill's Shoprite Supermarket, Daleville, PA.
Health Fairs will involve a table with educational displays, informational brochures, information on websites by patients with COPD, and give-aways.

Participating Organizations
American Lung Association of Pennsylvania
Knights of Melody Walking Team

CONTACT INFO:
Name: Lori Palermo, captain of the Knights of Melody Walking Team, and Donna Ray-Reifler of the American Lung Association
Organizations:
American Lung Association of Pennsylvania
Knights of Melody Walking Team
Country: USA

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Thank you, Cecil, for another super article from your Friday newsletter!