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.


Annette Fargnoli

Annette Fargnoli Profile Photo Rochester, NY


Hi.

I am Annette “Toni” Fargnoli, and I’m looking forward to making a difference and being an advocate for those whose voices need to be heard. I was the primary caregiver for my sister for the past 10 years, who passed in December 2024. Her personal battle with this terrible disease lasted for over 25 years. Seeing the changes that take place both physically and emotionally in patients and how misunderstood and debilitating this disease affects both patients and families, we need to raise awareness and the complications it presents.

I’ve been fortunate to have opportunities to grow in my personal and professional life. Now retired, I put that behind me and can take on new challenges, share information and hopefully be a catalyst for action.

My sister and I every day played and sang Bob Marley’s 3 Little Birds with the chorus "Don’t worry about a thing Cause every little thing gonna be alright".

These are words to live by and provided encouragement and laughter.

For anyone who is feeling afraid, please know that you will never be alone on your journey.

 



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!