Foundation to Honor Dr. Mehmet Oz at New York City Fundraiser for COPD
December 8, 2009
Washington, D.C. (December 9th, 2009)—The COPD Foundation Board of Directors will honor Dr. Mehmet Oz, host of “The Dr. Oz Show,” for his commitment to health care awareness and quality in a New York City fundraising event next week. The event will raise funds to support research and awareness for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Dr. Oz for over 25 years, and he’s one of the world’s great cardiothoracic surgeons,” says Dr. Byron Thomashow, Chair of the COPD Foundation Board of Directors.
“In the last few years he’s become a major national and international figure, reaching millions and millions regarding healthcare related issues,” Thomashow says. “COPD affects 12 million people in the United States and 12 million individuals are yet to be diagnosed and it’s the fourth leading cause of death. The COPD Foundation is thrilled to recognize Dr. Oz as we head into 2010, which is the Year of the Lung, as a tremendously important step to continuing to further awareness for this important issue.”
Dr. Oz is Vice-Chair and Professor of Surgery at Columbia University. He directs the Cardiovascular Institute and Complementary Medicine Program at New York Presbyterian Hospital. In addition, Dr. Oz hosts the daily syndicated talk show, “The Dr. Oz Show” which debuted on September, 14th, 2009. Dr. Oz also hosts a daily talk show on Sirius XM Radio’s Oprah Radio and was the medical expert on The Oprah Winfrey Show for five years. Dr. Oz has authored five New York Times best-sellers related to health, with most recent book, “YOU: Having a Baby” released on December 1, 2009.
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.
About COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. and the only chronic disease growing in mortality. It affects approximately 24 million Americans but only 12 million are diagnosed. COPD includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and adult onset (refractory) asthma. Symptoms include breathlessness, wheezing, and chronic coughing. For more information about COPD, visit http://www.copdfoundation.org or call 1-866-316-COPD (2673).