Even the non NASCAR fans have to applaud NASCAR’S generous support of one of the most under rated, unknown 4th leading killer in the nation and 5th in the world, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

Some lucky NASCAR fans will win an ultimate NASCAR holiday and for a good cause: Race4COPD. The Race4COPD begins tomorrow at Daytona right after Linda Loveless sings the song she wrote in memory of her sister, DRIVE, for this important and first of its kind Race4COPD to find the millions of people who don’t know they have COPD, many who have never heard of it.

Race4COPD begins with NASCAR racing star Danica Patrick, joined by the stars and greats in their own field, Jim Belushi, Bruce Jenner, Patty Loveless and Michael Strahan. Each of the all star driving team has been touched by COPD and Linda Loveless lost her sister at a young age.

“”I remember how my grandma struggled to breathe and how it limited her life,” said Patrick, whose grandmother suffered from emphysema, one of the two forms of COPD. “That’s why our goal is to get at least 1 million people to take a five-question screener to find out if they may be at risk for COPD and talk to their doctor. Because the sooner you act, the sooner you can get on the road to breathing better.”

“This is an important cause for NASCAR and we’re committed to helping our fans and millions of Americans who have COPD by increasing public understanding of the disease,” said Steve Phelps, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, NASCAR. “We are thrilled that this campaign has become the official health initiative of NASCAR, making its first ‘Pit Stop’ during the popular Daytona weekend and coming to many other races this season.”

The team will drive four days and 6,000 miles to ask people five questions to see if they are at risk…see DRIVE4COPD.COM

“COPD can be managed to help people live and breathe easier. Early diagnosis of COPD is critical, as lung damage is not reversible but is treatable. Proper management of COPD is important to help patients breathe better, remain independent, prevent complications and exacerbations, and improve quality of life. Lifestyle changes like staying active and quitting smoking can help improve symptoms. Yet even when people are diagnosed with COPD, only half of them are prescribed treatment to help them breathe better.”
www.lungusa.org. www.copdfoundation.org. http://us.boehringer-ingelheim.com

Close to home surprising is the fact our own Harrison Medical Center has employees who do not know what COPD is – two recently asked me. (Please note my comment does not reflect on Harrison’s outstanding medical staff and stellar patient care)

It’s about time! More later… Sharon O’Hara