Faces of COPD: Karen Anzalone says, 'Advocacy is key to raising awareness.'

Posted on November 28, 2017   |   

When Karen Anzalone lost her father to COPD in November 2010, she knew she had to do something to help others. Today the memory of her father, John Ferrara Jr., inspires her work as the New York State Captain, a C.O.P.D. Information Line Associate and grassroots advocate. She remains a passionate member of the COPD community because she doesn’t want patients and caregivers to feel the way she did in her search for education about the disease.

Karen Anzalone caregiver for COPD Awareness

For eight years, Karen’s father, John, a retired Navy flight engineer, had a chronic cough and breathing problems. When he had to catch his breath for 20 minutes after walking a short distance, he agreed to see a doctor. His own father lived with COPD so John was familiar with the disease and knew just how debilitating it was. When he was finally diagnosed, John wasn’t given much information on how to manage his COPD. That’s when Karen stepped in as her father’s primary caregiver and advocate.

Education is Key
Karen believes that education is the key to living a full life with COPD. “Often, patients are provided with their diagnosis and have limited information to best manage their disease. If my father and I had had more education it would have changed our situation dramatically because I would have been able to ask the doctor the right questions, especially regarding pulmonary rehab.”

Karen Anzalone caregiver for COPD Awareness

Karen believes the stigma associated with COPD prevented her father from seeking additional information or trying to improve his well-being. He would hide his symptoms from friends and family and quietly accept his lifestyle as something he could not improve. “There was no one telling us ‘you can live with your COPD’—instead we were just waiting for the end.”

Karen wants everyone to know that a full life is possible with COPD—but first patients have to be honest with themselves, their loved ones and their doctors. “I think people are afraid to ask questions because they are afraid of the answers. When my father was diagnosed, the doctor gave him one piece of paper and some medication and that was it. We went on with no information.”

Once you educate yourself as a caregiver and patient, it eliminates the fear. Having information gives you something to work with and gives you more to discuss. The more you can talk about the disease, the better you are able to cope physically and emotionally.”

Karen says family and friends of individuals living with COPD should be sensitive to the situation. She remembers telling her father, “You can talk to me when you’re ready.”

She advises caregivers to be patient with their loved ones as they have to be ready to face some of the common fears of living with COPD. “My dad would always say he’s fine, but he would stand in the tripod position. He was hiding it by saying he just had back pain.” Karen says education helped her family open up the lines of communication.

Be an Advocate
Karen became a COPD advocate to help the 30 million Americans with COPD. “My father died from COPD in November 2010. He was my best friend, my everything, my entire world. As his primary caregiver and witness to the devastating effects of this disease, I knew I needed to make a difference for everyone affected by COPD. My journey has taken me from being my dad’s caregiver to serving the COPD community. My focus has expanded to community-based advocacy and social media: ‘advocacy is key to raising awareness’.”

Karen is very active within the COPD community through COPD360social.org. A few years ago, Karen created a virtual World COPD Day, which had thousands of participants and was shared worldwide.

Her proudest moment, however, was when “I met with US State Representative for New York Steve Israel and convinced him to join the Congressional COPD Caucus. As New York State Captain, I want to raise COPD awareness. It’s vital that we educate and empower patients to learn and manage their COPD. I’d like to get more caregivers involved with advocacy efforts, especially in New York.”

Karen also works as an Associate for the C.O.P.D. Information Line (1-866-316-2673), a call center staffed by patients and caregivers. “When a caller tells me a doctor is not supportive, my first suggestion is—can you change a doctor? Think of your doctor as a partner, that’s the only way to understand and treat your condition.”

Karen keeps the spirit of her father alive through her advocacy work. His photo on her desk is a constant reminder of the power of helping others and importance of building the COPD community. “There are millions like me: parents, children, brothers and sisters—I know they feel the way I did. We have to help these people. You can live with COPD, you just need to get the resources, education and tools to advocate for yourself.”

In recognition of COPD Awareness Month, the COPD Foundation is featuring a new "Faces of COPD" profile throughout November. The "A New Day, A New Face of COPD" blog series highlights the stories of those who have been touched by COPD in any capacity. Tell your story by e-mailing us at info@copdfoundation.org or commenting below.

10 Comments



You need to login to comment.
  • Your story touches the hearts of those that are taking care of COPD loved ones everyday. An inspiration for others to keep learning through available educational tools. Advocacy in Action, Thank You Karen!
    Reply
  • I can relate to so much of how your dad felt. Thank you for being an educator and advocate for this disease. I wish the stigma would disappear and empathy for our disease could take its place. Thank you Karen!
    Reply
  • Karen my friend, I know and understand your passion and dedication. The COPD information line prepared me for where I am today. I have always admired your passion and love for your father and his care. You are a true inspiration and give true meaning to the word "caregiver." Continue your great work.
    Reply
  • Karen, I don't have words to say, your a wonderful compassionate person and Your Dad was lucky to have you. Thank You Karen! Love Bill66
    Reply
  • I had the pleasure of joining Karen on a visit with her then congressman in his New York office. Her love for her father, passion for making a difference and knowledge about the needs of the COPD community came through loud and clear in that meeting and I know that if hadnt of retired, he would be a COPD champion in congress. Thanks for your continued advocacy Karen!

    Reply
  • Thank you, Karen, for honoring your father's memory by continuing to serve the COPD community. He was so fortunate to have you as his caregiver - and I know that you inspire, educate and empathize with other caregivers every day through the Information Line. Thank you for sharing.
    Reply
  • smh
    Thank you, Karen, for all you do for our community! As a patient, I deeply appreciate your efforts. As a caregiver, I know the challenges you have had to face and overcome. You have been an inspiration and an awesome mentor to me here at the COPD Foundation Information Line. I appreciate you!
    Reply
  • Last year I was diagnosed with stage 3 emphysema. Yes, I had smoked but I also hiked, went to the gym and worked out, cardio, tai chi, qi qong for years. I was 67 and healthy and then I couldn't catch my breath. I use oxygen 24/7 now but did pulmonary rehab and have rejoined my gym in my town and use my oxygen and work out, use my oxygen and walk 1 mile most every day, use my oxygen and go shopping.... What was the hardest thing was not having medical backup. Went to the pulmonary specialists, was given an inhaler, a nurse showed me how to use it, given oxygen, and sent home with an appt. for the next year. It has been a difficult year and if it wasn't for the support groups, here and on FB I don't know what I would have done. Fallen into a pit of despair I imagine.

    Reply