Wednesday is World COPD Day, established in 1997 to raise awareness of COPD. It is also the day that COPD Canada Patient Network is proudly sponsoring the 2nd annual Lungevity Walk. This walk is unique in that the distance walked is a personal challenge rather than a set distance. As well as being the groups primary fundraiser it is intended to point out how vital exercise, particularly walking, is to the COPD patient.
Brian Vandurme, Director of COPD Canada Patient Network for Saskatchewan explained, “When you measure your walking ability in feet as some patients must, a walk of any set distance is out of the question. Many of us have days where we simply can’t do even what is our version of normal. With this in mind, the Lungevity walk challenges patients (and friends) to outdo their best distance within the last six months. If that is 30 feet, try for 31. While it might not seem to be much to a non-patient, it gives great satisfaction when those who are patients to hit a new personal best.”
Funds raised last year were used primarily in the production and distribution of a DVD supplying newly diagnosed patients information about the disease and tips on how to live with it. These were distributed to libraries, clinics and individual patients across Canada free of charge.
Jackie Whitaker, President of COPD Canada Patient Network said, “While we would indeed like to have people pledge, we more than anything want them to take part. If the weather isn’t conducive to walking outdoors, go to a mall or do it in your home, on a treadmill or just up and down your hallway. Bodies that exercise regularly require less oxygen than those that don’t. The less you do, the less you are able to do. Exercise is the difference between controlling our symptoms and having a life or sitting back waiting to die.”
COPD is a progressive disease of the lungs which causes them to be increasingly inflamed and blocked. It makes breathing increasingly more difficult and finally impossible. It is the 4th leading cause of death in Canada and worldwide. Unlike other diseases in the top five, it is increasing in frequency.
Over 750,000 Canadians have been diagnosed with it and there are thought to be that many more undiagnosed. A Canadian dies of it or a closely associated disease of the lungs every 20 minutes. Women are the fastest growing group of new patients with it killing twice as many women as breast cancer yet public awareness is minimal.
While it is (currently) incurable, with medication and lifestyle changes (most importantly quitting smoking and starting to exercise) the “symptoms” can be much better treated and controlled.
COPD Canada Patient Network is a registered charitable organization made up of and operated by COPD patients. Its mandate is to educate and support new and existing patients and caregivers, advocate for better and earlier diagnosis and treatment of COPD and raise public awareness of the disease. One hundred percent of funding is dedicated to filling this mandate; we are all unpaid volunteers.
Visit www.copdcanada.ca to learn more about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, World COPD Day and the Lungevity Walk and/or to get a pledge form or sponsor a walker.
