Pennsylvania semi-truck driver visits Capitol Hill to raise awareness of COPD
Driver's cab designed for COPD awareness is inspired by his wife, who lives with the disease
Miami (March 19, 2026) - Tom Manges, a semi-truck driver from Pennsylvania, has outfitted his truck's cab to raise awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Manges has driven his COPD-wrapped semi for 2.5 years.
Manges' latest stop with his truck was on Capitol Hill during the COPD Foundation's IMPACT Lung Health advocacy event on March 18. IMPACT allows people with COPD, caregivers and health care professionals to network and meet with their members of Congress.
Manges, who serves as an advocate on behalf of the COPD Foundation, was inspired to use his truck to raise awareness of COPD after seeing how the chronic lung disease has impacted his wife, Renee, over the past decade.
When people ask him about his truck, he shares information about COPD, which affects more than 30 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. Symptoms include breathlessness, fatigue, and chronic cough.
"I believe that through raising more awareness we could definitely save lives," said Manges, who has driven a semi for 30 years. "I don't want to see anyone going through what my wife has been through. I also appreciate Mark McClymond, CEO of McClymonds Supply & Transit Co., for letting me design the truck for COPD awareness."
This year's IMPACT event brought 57 people with COPD, caregivers and others to Capitol Hill to talk to legislators about increased funding for lung health research, supplemental oxygen reform, and access to virtual pulmonary rehabilitation. IMPACT Lung Health is the COPD Foundation's annual legislative advocacy campaign designed to encourage the United States Congress to support critical policies that would improve the lives of those affected by chronic lung disease.
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About the COPD Foundation
The COPD Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help millions of people live longer and healthier lives by advancing research, advocacy, and awareness to stop COPD, bronchiectasis, and NTM lung disease. 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.
Contact:
Brittany Irish
805-465-2497
mediarelations@copdfoundation.org