COPD Foundation Congratulates Community Organizations Awarded NHLBI Funds for Outreach Efforts
October 1, 2009
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Ifdy Perez, COPD Foundation
Email:
Tel: 1-866-731-2673, ext. 398
WASHINGTON, DC (October 1, 2009)—The COPD Foundation congratulates the community organizations awarded subcontracts this morning under the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s communications contract with Porter Novelli. The awards were given to leading community-based lung health organizations to support their efforts to improve awareness and understanding of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)—the nation’s 4th leading cause of death.
Several different award levels were distributed, ranging from $15,000 to $47,000, according to the NHLBI. This community partnership network was developed by the NHLBI in an effort to broaden the reach of the national COPD campaign, Learn More Breathe Better.
“The COPD Foundation is excited to work with several of the organizations receiving an award to help the COPD Learn More Breathe Better® campaign spread awareness and education in local communities,” says COPD Foundation President, John Walsh.
A partner in the COPD Learn More Breathe Better® campaign since its launch in 2007, the COPD Foundation has developed several programs to assist the campaign throughout the nation. The Mobile Spirometry Unit and C.O.P.D. Information Line programs both launched in conjunction with the campaign.
The COPD Foundation is proud to partner with several of the awardees in their community outreach efforts. These organizations include the Florida COPD Coalition, Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, Kentucky Department for Health’s Kentucky Respiratory Disease Program, Breathe New Hampshire, American Lung Association of New York, DC Area Health Education Center and the Maryland COPD Task Force.
The Foundation will collaborate with these organizations to offer free spirometry testing at local events through the Mobile Spirometry Unit program, free educational materials about COPD, and educational programs for both physicians and patients.
“The COPD Foundation congratulates the NHLBI in awarding these subcontracts and encouraging the engagement of a broad number of organizations throughout the country in the campaign,” says Walsh. “The COPD Foundation looks forward to collaborating with these and other organizations in the coming year.”
About the COPD Foundation:
The COPD Foundation is dedicated to developing and supporting programs which improve the quality of life through research, education, early diagnosis, and enhanced therapy for persons whose lives are impacted by Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The COPD Foundation has several programs dedicated to informing, empowering, educating, and engaging individuals affected by COPD, including both diagnosed and undiagnosed individuals, their families and friends, and their medical professionals. For more information, please visit: http://www.copdfoundation.org.