Meet Your COPD Foundation Captains!

COPD Foundation Captains are volunteers with COPD, caregivers, friends and family members or healthcare providers who use their contacts and talents and partner with the COPD Foundation to serve as state and community leaders.

Captains promote the importance of becoming a part of the COPD community. They work to spread COPD awareness in their state and local areas, mentor fellow COPD community members, and participate in online and in-person grassroots advocacy and community building activities focused on health policy issues that are important to those who have COPD. If you are interested in joining our group of volunteers, click here.

If you'd like to speak with a COPD Foundation Captain directly, please email statecaptains@copdfoundation.org and we will connect you with the Captain in your area of interest.


Leizel Trinidad Jacobsen

Leizel Trinidad Jacobsen Profile Photo Henderson, NV


Hi there! I'm so excited and proud to be a Captain for the COPD Foundation!

I was born and raised in the Philippines, but Las Vegas has been my 2nd home since 1996. I was raised by my grandparents, with my grandma diagnosed with COPD. I experienced firsthand the seriousness of having to deal with this condition. It was not easy for her—and it wasn't always easy being around her because of the way she was affected by it. But it made me realize how important it is to educate yourself about COPD and find ways to manage its symptoms.

Since then, I've been working as a respiratory therapist for 10 years. I love helping people who are dealing with COPD—and now that I'm a Captain with the COPD Foundation, I get to do that even more. It's an honor to be able to offer support, coaching, and encouragement to those who need it most.

As a COPD Foundation Captain, my mission is to connect as many people as possible to the COPD community so they can learn about how this disease affects them and their family members, as well as offer them resources so they can live healthier and fuller lives. I also hope to do more work in raising awareness events and hosting fundraisers to support our community.

I am a Christian who believes in the inherent goodness within each person; we all have something special that we can offer others if we only look for it! My passion is to provide encouragement to individuals so that they may pursue their goals with faithfulness and purpose.

My favorite inspirational quote comes from one of my own, "An act of goodwill is always rewarded. A good gesture is always appreciated."

 



COPD Foundation State Captain Program Informational Video

The COPD Foundation is looking for new State Captains to join our community to be champions for promoting COPD awareness, improving quality of life for those with COPD, to participate in research opportunities, policy, and much more. Email statecaptains@copdfoundation.org for questions and to start the onboarding process today!