COPD Treatable and Preventable

COPD Awareness Month is November and COPD Awareness Day is Nov. 17th We are beginning a campaign to increase awareness of and participation in COPD Awareness Month and Day. There are many ways in which you can help.

1) Send the following letter to pulmonary rehabs, hospitals, nursing homes, mobile health vans and any other venue which you think would be appropriate.

2) Contact local TV stations, radio shows about public service announcements.

3) Write letters to the editor of local newspapers, write to magazines about doing health features that month.

4) Hand out EFFORTS brochures that day, at your grocery store, doctor's office wherever you can.

5) Take the COPD book list to your local library. Ask them to add a few books, if they are lacking in literature for this disease. Remind them that this is the fourth leading cause of death Your local hospital may also have a library for patient education.

We are going to track what gets sent so please contact me , or any of our volunteers listed below if you send anything.

                                                                                                                                     August

Dear___________,

 I am writing to remind you that November is COPD Awareness month and November 17th, COPD Awareness Day for 2004.
       
 I am a member of EFFORTS, www.emphysema.net. EFFORTS is an online international support/advocacy group for people with COPD, currently averaging about 1800 members.  We are a nonprofit organization, composed primarily of patients. We are hoping you will take this opportunity to add screening for copd to your public relations or community education events and take the opportunity to do this on COPD Awareness Day.
       
COPD is now the fourth leading cause of death in America, killing 120,000 a year.
This year's theme for COPD Awareness Month and day is "COPD Treatable and Preventable" We hope you will consider the many options now available for COPD patients in planning your activities.

COPD is not usually diagnosed until people have begun to show symptoms, by this time they will have already lost 50% of their lung capacity. It is no longer necessary to wait until shortness of breath occurs frequently or one has repeated bouts of bronchitis in order to diagnose this disease. Spirometers are available now cheaply, and they can be had in models ranging in price form $500 to $1,000 dollars. A less expensive alternative for screening is the Ferraris 345010 Piko-1 meter which can measure FEV1 and is available for as little as $29.95, disposable mouthpieces are also available. Free screening is one event we would like to promote for November 17th and it is also a great lead in for The Great American Smoke Out, held on the following day.

We also have EFFORTS brochures available, a sample is included.  They are available at a cost of $5.00 for 50; to cover mailing costs. Send your check here or call 1-800-END-COPD.

                                                      EFFORTS
                                                      Suite B
                                                      239 NE US HWY 69
                                                       Claycomo, Mo. 64119


Attached you will find a list of COPD Activities and resources for your use, as well as a list of magazines and books for COPD patients

We may have members available for help in carrying out your events; please do not hesitate to contact us. We are also available at www.emphysema.net .

Sincerely,                                                    
Name
Address
City, State, zip
Telephone & email
 

Some possible activities for COPD Awareness Month are:
1) Free spirometry screening
2) Pulmonary Walk For Wellness (could also be a fundraiser)
3) Possible lectures:

       1) Pulmonary rehab
a) How to
b) Benefits of
                    c) Sources of information

              2) Nutrition
                       a) Importance of
                       b) How to gain weight
                       c) Which foods to eat

             3) New procedures
                         a) Lung Volume Reduction Surgery
                         b) amphasys trial
                         c) spiration trial

              4) New medicines & how to best use medicines
                      a) Spiriva
                      b) spacers and how to use them
          
               5) Equipment
                         a) inhalers, space and nebulizers
                          b) liquid oxygen
                          c) inogen and airsep, portable concentrators

              6) Lifestyle tips
 
              7) Depression and COPD

              8) Associated illnesses, diabetes and prednisone, lung cancer.

              9) We also have a comprehensive list of books and papers on COPD at
 

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Last Update 08/23/2004
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