Bradford,
PA
As a Respiratory Therapist and State Captain of Pennsylvania I hope to accomplish promoting awareness and earlier detection within the community as well as the medical community; also to promote early awareness beginning with secondary education students.
As a COPD advocate I have I have met, written, called, and emailed my local officials. I have emailed via AARC/PSRC many times regarding certain bills, and have met with local PA State Rep Martin Causer several times over the years. Additionally, I have participated in health fairs to promote COPD awareness, have created a COPD program at BRMC/OGH, and have spoken to my family and friends about COPD.
As a State Captain I am very interested in working with state, local, and national officials to COPD policy, as well is in participating and promoting research opportunities to help find a cure. I am also interested in participating and promoting research within rural communities because I feel that they are oftentimes left out or folks assume that research can’t occur in small outlying areas.
My proudest COPD moment has been hearing one of my patients as a BBC member stating that I/the group make a difference in her life.
My inspiration to share is, “To give anything less than yourself is to sacrifice the gift” -Steve Prefontaine