The COPD Foundation Hosts Second Annual World Bronchiectasis Day on July 1
MIAMI, FLORIDA - On July 1, 2023, the COPD Foundation and 19 global lung health partners will celebrate World Bronchiectasis Day, a global campaign to raise awareness and education for bronchiectasis.
Bronchiectasis is a lesser-known chronic lung disease that affects hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. It is characterized by enlarged or scarred airways that cannot clear mucus properly, resulting in recurring lung infections, difficulty breathing, and premature death. Symptoms like frequent coughing, fatigue, fever, chest pain, and chills can mimic other lung conditions, which can delay diagnosis.
As the prevalence of bronchiectasis grows across the globe, prevention and awareness efforts are more critical than ever. Detecting and treating bronchiectasis early can improve quality of life and may impact the longevity of those affected. For the second year, organizers will coordinate activities through a unified disease awareness campaign featuring:
- Educational resources in several languages
- Free virtual educational events where people can learn about bronchiectasis symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment from medical experts and patients
- Opportunities for community support for those living with the disease
"Many patients with bronchiectasis struggle for years prior to establishing a diagnosis and once they're diagnosed, often suffer alone or in silence with limited access to treatment information or social support," says Dr. Aksamit M.D., Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine physician at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN and director of the Bronchiectasis and NTM Initiative within the COPD Foundation. "The COPD Foundation and its global lung health partners are committed to meeting the unmet needs of the bronchiectasis and NTM lung disease global communities. Together, through World Bronchiectasis Day, we can help hundreds of thousands of people living with bronchiectasis access free resources and education that can improve their daily quality of life, build community and support, and find hope for themselves and the future of their disease."
Last year's inaugural World Bronchiectasis Day reached nearly 800,000 people across the globe through social media, free education materials, and live events. "When I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis I searched for information and community support and couldn't find it - until I discovered the COPD Foundation," said Sarah Schmudde, a bronchiectasis patient in Illinois. "World Bronchiectasis Day helps people learn about this disease and makes me feel supported - like the future can look better for people living with bronchiectasis."
Register for free virtual events, download a social media toolkit, join our online community, and access free educational materials and resources by visiting worldbronchiectasisday.org.
About the COPD Foundation
The COPD Foundation is a nonprofit organization established to improve the lives of people with COPD, bronchiectasis, and nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease through initiatives that expand services and speed innovations to make treatment more effective and affordable. The Foundation does this through scientific research, education, advocacy, and awareness to prevent disease, slow progression, and find a cure. For more information, visit copdfoundation.org, or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Media Contact
Jessica Burke
Senior Communication Specialist
mediarelations@copdfoundation.org