Letters to the Editor

COPD Awareness Month is almost here. NOW is the time for all of us to write to our local media (newspapers, magazines, radio, TV) and get the word out - everywhere. Compose your own letter(s), or use one or more of the four sample letters here. To get the contact email addresses for your area, just enter your Zip code (or click on your State) at http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/media/

Click on the boxes in front of the ones to whom you wish to write, paste in your message, fill in the other blanks, and send your message(s). If you are not published within three or four days or otherwise acknowledged, then write again. when you are published, send us the link or a clipping – we will post it on the EFFORTS website.

What is COPD? Too few people can answer that question, yet COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is now the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. And each year the death toll continues to steadily rise, and newly diagnosed patients are younger and younger. No longer the "old peoples' disease", COPD (comprised of emphysema and chronic bronchitis) is a chronic, progressive, terminal disease, now affecting even people in their 30s. People at risk are long-term smokers, people exposed to air pollution or second-hand smoke, and people with a family history of COPD.

If you are one of those potentially at risk for COPD, please ask your family doctor to test you for it - it's quick, easy, and painless. Those who wait until they begin to show serious symptoms may have already lost half their lung capacity. And, of course, if you are a smoker, QUIT!

More information about COPD can be found on the Internet at www.emphysema.net/bindex.html. And, if you already have COPD or emphysema, go to the same web address and join EFFORTS, a 2600 member support group helping each other function as well as possible within the disease limits.

COPD (short for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) consists of emphysema and chronic bronchitis and is the ONLY major cause of death on the increase. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that this will be the third leading cause of death in the US and worldwide by 2020.

But COPD is largely preventable, easily detected and at least partly treatable if detected early. Why then does this problem continue to exist and grow? In part it’s because prevention and early detection depend on widespread public awareness – and that is sorely lacking.

If you are at risk for COPD – a family history of lung disease, or a long-term smoker, or exposed to air pollution, second-hand smoke, or toxic chemicals at work – make the effort to get tested. This month. Do it even though you may have no noticeable symptoms yet. The test is quick, painless, and can be done right in your doctor’s office. Just blow hard in a tube for six seconds – that’s all there is to it. And it just might be the best six second investment you ever made.

Thanks for listening. I have COPD and I just don’t want you to have it, too.

COPD, a form of lung disease that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, can happen to anyone - from smoking, of course, but also from second hand smoke, or from toxic chemicals we've probably all been exposed to at one time or another at work or at home, or even simply from one’s genetic makeup. Whatever the underlying cause, COPD is now the fourth largest killer of United States citizens. It is also the second-greatest cause of disability.

No one really knows why some people get COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and others don't - even when circumstance and surroundings seem similar. A lot more research is needed. Although anywhere from 12 million to 24 million people in the US may have COPD, many remain undiagnosed until their breathing is so bad and their lungs are so damaged that the only hope is a scarce lung transplant.

As a sufferer of this devastating illness, I can tell you first-hand that it affects each and every thing I do from the time I get up in the morning until I go to bed at night. I am urging our medical professionals to begin including a routine spirometry check when giving physicals and at health fairs. And I urge anyone who may be at risk for this disease to ask for that check – even if they seem to have no symptoms now. This quick, painless test only takes a few minutes and can be the key to starting steps to minimize further decline.

Much valuable information about this disease can be found at the EFFORTS (Emphysema Foundation For Our Right To Survive) website. If you would like to learn more about preventing this disease, or about living with it if you already have it, please visit the website at www.emphysema.net/bindex.html.

An invisible killer is in our midst. It’s called COPD. You may not recognize the name COPD - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - even though it is the 4th leading cause of death in the United States and growing so rapidly that it may become the third leading cause by 2020.

So, just what is COPD? More commonly known as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, it is a chronic, progressive disease which causes the lung’s airways and alveoli to lose their elasticity and the airway walls to collapse, seriously hindering breathing and disabling those afflicted. Those most at risk for COPD are smokers, people exposed to air pollution or second-hand smoke, and those with a family history of COPD.

What can be done? November has been proclaimed COPD Awareness Month and many health care centers will be paying special attention to COPD this month. If you are in the at-risk group and your area hospital has a special educational event about COPD this month, attend it. Or ask your family doctor to test you for it. If you don’t ask, COPD may not be diagnosed until you have serious symptoms, and by that time you may have already lost 50% of your lung capacity. The test, right in the doctor’s office, is simple, painless and very quick – it takes just a few seconds. And, of course. if you are a smoker, decide now to quit.

Want more information about COPD? I and 2600 other members of EFFORTS - an on-line support and advocacy group – can help provide it. Please visit our website at http://www.emphysema.net/bindex.html

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Updated 09/15/2007
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