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Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Today is World Storytelling Day, and what better time to honor the power of your story. ๐Ÿ’™

If you are living with COPD, bronchiectasis, NTM, or another lung condition โ€” or caring for someone who is โ€” your story matters more than you may realize. The hard days, the small wins, the setbacks, the strength it takes to keep goingโ€ฆ all of it can mean something deeply important to someone else reading along.

Sometimes sharing your story is more than just opening up. It becomes a hand reaching out to someone who feels scared, overwhelmed, or alone. It shows others that even when life is not easy, there is still courage, resilience, hope, and a way to keep moving forward.

You may never fully know how many people are encouraged by your path, your honesty, and the ways you endure and thrive. But it happens every day in this community.

So for World Storytelling Day, we would love to hear from you. What has your journey taught you? What would you want someone newly diagnosed, or a fellow caregiver, to know? Your voice could be exactly what someone else needs today. ๐Ÿ’ซ

4 hours ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

๐ŸŽ™๏ธ Your Story Could Help Someone Else

One of the most powerful things about our community is the stories we share with each other. The experiences, challenges, little victories, and lessons along the way can mean so much to someone who may be going through the same thing.

As we work on refreshing the COPD Foundation podcast, weโ€™re adding a new segment where we highlight stories from people living with COPD or other lung conditions, as well as caregivers.

If youโ€™d like to share part of your journey, we would love to hear from you. Your story can be shared anonymously on the show if you prefer.

You can send your story to:
๐Ÿ“ง  share@copdfoundation.org

It could be about something that helped you, a challenge youโ€™ve faced, advice for others, or even a moment that gave you hope. Sometimes hearing that someone else has walked a similar path can make all the difference.

If youโ€™ve ever thought, โ€œMaybe my story could help someone,โ€ this is a wonderful way to do it.

5 days ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Managercommented onMore than a Caregiver

Caring for a parent is a journey of love, and your words are such a heartfelt reminder of that. Caregivers give so much of themselves, and it can be so easy to put your own needs on the back burner. I really appreciate you sharing this encouragement,...

28 minutes ago

Tom m 1970 PA. State captain

Tom m 1970 PA. State captain

I'm so greatful for being able to take part in Impact 2026 ! It was a awesome time and very edu

1 hour ago

BrandyLynn

BrandyLynnBecause I love "Fluffy Friday", so much, I get two pictures a Friday, right?!! Haha!! This was our Ignatius as a puppy on his first Easter. I hope he brings a smile to you today. Easy breathing, friends. 

3 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captainanswered the question Inhaling Steam and COPD

I cannot tolerate the steam!
Orlan = State Captain - IndianaBen Aclockdaddyand 1 other also answered the question Orlan = State Captain - Indianaand 3 others also answered the question

3 hours ago

Gary R.

Gary R.asked the question: When to up oxygen level?

I am at 2.5 liters normally. Having difficulty breathing and was curious if I should go up to 3 liters to alleviate shortness of breath.

4 hours ago

Community Announcements

Community Announcementsadded a new article Understanding Biologics

This post was written by: Amanda Atkinson, MSN, RN.

If you or someone you love is living with COPD, you may have heard about new treatment options called biologics. If you are already using inhalers every day and still having flare-ups, biologics may work for you.

What is a Biologic?

Most medicines are made with chemicals in a lab, but biologics are different. A biologic is a type of medicine that is made from a living source, like cells or proteins.1 Biologics for COPD are usually given as a shot once or twice a month.

5 hours ago

Phyliss DiLorenzo NJ State Captain

Phyliss DiLorenzo NJ State Captainanswered the question Dad with stage 4 COPD

I am so sorry to hear this. My deepest condolences on your mom's passing. Many years ago, I was a caregiver for my mom. I want you to know that it seems like your father's pulmonologist made the right referral. I do not know if receiving more liters of …
Caroline West Virginia State Captaindas23 also answered the question Caroline West Virginia State Captainand 1 other also answered the question

5 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captaincommented onEating Well: From Debbie Bโ€™s Kitchen to Yours

๐Ÿ”ตHUNGARIAN KOLBรSZ STEW๐Ÿ”ตBeing Hungarian, I may choose to prepare this meal on Easter.2 tbsp. olive oil Two 7-inch links Hungarian Kolbรกsz1 medium onion, cut into 8 wedges1 of each: small yellow, orange, and red bell pepper, cut into large...

7 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Fluffy Friday, and Happy First Day of Spring! What a nice combination! Today we have my kitty boy Fritters George, who is here to remind us to do our Spring cleaning! ๐Ÿ˜†

12 hours ago

GAnne

GAnneanswered the question Am I eating wrong, keep loosing weight?

I live it Caroline, I bought cottage cheese yesterday, put peanut butter in my smoothie last night. I have to put on weight. Cornbread sounds good. My dr told me to eat whatever I wanted. GAnn
Caroline West Virginia State CaptainLiza MCoach Brandon - Community Manager also answered the question Caroline West Virginia State Captainand 2 others also answered the question

20 hours ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

Goodness, CVS Specialty Pharmacyโ€”after all this time, why donโ€™t you understand that drugs patients administer themselves are part D as in Delta, NOT part B as in Beta of Bravo. Clearly this has been the rule on injectable drugs but you say it will take you an extra 7-20 days to figure it out. Ok, but meanwhile, you give patients stress and  concern that they may have to pay nearly $800/mo or more as copays?!?!?!  Yikes!  I wish we could use a different service & pharmacy but am not sure it would get better. 

21 hours ago

BomBy

BomBy

Hey everyone! I just wanted to update you all and let you know I had Pulmonary testing done yesterday (no results yet), but had a CT of lungs done today which showed no lung issues at all, no more hyperinflation, nothing. It had to have been the dust and massive inflammation that has since gone away. (All it showed was a 6mm kidney stone I was unaware of haha). I cannot believe it.  Thank you all for helping me through the horrific anxiety I have had with this going on. I am praying for all of you and easy breathing. I am sad to be leaving such wonderful people, and cannot say thank you enough. Hugs to you all and I wish you all the best. XoXo

22 hours ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captainanswered the question Are there more options for plane travel and batteries?

Ask for a wheelchair to push you mom (even if she doesnโ€™t normally need one). This allows her to use as little O2 as possible before and after the flight. All US airlines will supply a wheelchair and pusher upon request. You can get it from the ticket …

1 day ago

Huff and Puff

Huff and Puffanswered the question Storing oxygen tube when temporarily not in use.

Insert the prongs into an O2 Fresh nasal cannula cover to keep them clean and use the handle to hang the tubing.
Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State CaptainJohn in OregonCaroline West Virginia State Captainand 3 others also answered the question Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captainand 5 others also answered the question

1 day ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

๐Ÿ˜„ Letโ€™s Laugh Day is here! ๐Ÿ˜„

If thereโ€™s one thing we know, itโ€™s that laughter really can be good medicine. It might not fix everything, but it sure can make the day feel a little lighterโ€”and sometimes thatโ€™s exactly what we need.

Living with COPD, bronchiectasis, or NTM (or caring for someone who is) comes with its momentsโ€ฆ so today, letโ€™s take a break and share a laugh together.

Drop something in the comments that made you smile:
๐Ÿ˜‚ A funny story
๐Ÿถ A silly pet moment
๐Ÿ“บ A joke or favorite show
๐Ÿ™ƒ Or one of those โ€œyou had to be thereโ€ moments

Your turnโ€”whatโ€™s something that gave you a good laugh recently? ๐Ÿ‘‡

1 day ago

Community Announcements

Community Announcementsadded a new article 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.

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captaincommented onEating Well: From Debbie Bโ€™s Kitchen to Yours

๐Ÿฅ„CREAMY RICE PUDDING๐Ÿฅ„ Makes a lovely Easter dessert!1 1/2 cups cold water3/4 cup uncooked white rice 2 cups milk, divided1/3 cup sugar1/4 tsp. salt 1 large egg, beaten2/3 cup golden raisins1 tbsp. butter1/2 tsp. vanilla...

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainOh, what a wonderful Thursday! So many reasons to be grateful! 
What are you thankful for? I am thankful for having the means to manage my condition! Therefore, I keep rollin' along and moving forward! ๐Ÿ˜€

1 day ago

Community Announcements

Community Announcementsadded a new article More than a Caregiver

This post was written by Arnelle Konde, MPH, CHES.

Caregiving is more than a list of tasks โ€“ it's a profound shift in love. We spoke with a longtime advocate about her journey caring for her father through COPD. From navigating the emotional weight of role reversals to finding meaning in the hardest days, she shares what it really looks like to walk the path of a family caregiver.

Karen Anzalone serves as the New York State Captain for the COPD Foundation. Her role is driven by a very personal mission. In 2010, she lost her father, John Ferrara Jr., to COPD. After his death, Karen turned her grief into a lifelong commitment to advocacy for people with COPD. Karenโ€™s work spans from local community outreach to meetings with lawmakers. One of her biggest successes was helping bring her representative, U.S. Congressman Steve Israel, into the Congressional COPD Caucus. By connecting care with public policy, Karen keeps her fatherโ€™s memory alive through her advocacy.

1 day ago

Hellis

Hellisasked the question: Dad with stage 4 COPD

New to this. Hi. Here for my dad, 78 years olds, stage 4 COPD. I've been doing a lot of research on COPD over the last week and found this site. A couple months ago he could walk very short distances and he wasnโ€™t using his portable oxygen (he refused …

1 day ago

Fer

Fer

Fare

2 days ago

KAK

KAKasked the question: Are there more options for plane travel and batteries?

Hi! My mom and I are taking a flight in a few weeks. We have rented additional batteries for her portable concentrator from her supplier- should be enough as long as we are not delayed, etc. This is where we are worried- the airports are reporting TSA …

2 days ago

netmouse

netmouseanswered the question CO2 retention

K. - You seem to be a bit in denial. The standard blood test with CO2 given in the ER and when I have a complaint with my primary doctor is called the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel.
Caroline West Virginia State Captain also answered the question Caroline West Virginia State Captain also answered the question

2 days ago

netmouse

netmouseanswered the question CPET

J - get a second cardiac opinion. You want the specialist for the heart's electrical parts, an electrophysiologist (EP). The have much more education about the heart. Think about going to a major medical center that is highly rated for the heart like …
David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )JHutton94 also answered the question David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )and 1 other also answered the question

2 days ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community ManagerGuess what day it isโ€ฆ ๐Ÿ‘€๐ŸŒŽ๐Ÿ“ธ

Itโ€™s VMCotWW -- Visit My Corner of the World Wednesdays!

Time to take a little break and share a glimpse of your world - whether itโ€™s something peaceful, beautiful, or just something that made you smile today.

Iโ€™m sharing a sunset from Sedona, AZ, one of those views that just makes you pause for a second and take it all in. ๐ŸŒ„

Now itโ€™s your turnโ€ฆ what does your corner of the world look like today? Drop a photo below - weโ€™d love to see it! ๐Ÿ“ทโœจ

2 days ago

GAnne

GAnneasked the question: Am I eating wrong, keep loosing weight?

good morning I apologize if this is going to be long. I continue to lose weight. I am down to 118 pounds. I have lost 15 pounds since January but I used to weigh 155 pounds six months ago. Iโ€™m trying to eat like they say we should eat. Healthy I eat …

2 days ago

Medical Advice

It is not our intention to serve as a substitute for medical advice and any content posted should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. We make every effort to support our members, our medical professionals cannot and will not provide a diagnosis or suggest a specific medication; those decisions should be left to your personal medical team. While we encourage individuals to share their personal experiences with COPD, please consult a physician before making changes to your own COPD management plan.