DRIVE4COPD has announced the unveiling of 24M: The DRIVE4COPD Monument, a visual representation of the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the United States.

the license plates

The monument will begin its four city tour in New York City. After that, it will head to Texas, Florida and California–the four states which have the highest prevalence of COPD. 24M will be open to the public for viewing in New York City at Hudson River Park, Pier 84 on W. 44th St. and 12th Ave. from September 14th-20th.

Launched in February 2010, DRIVE4COPD is a landmark public health movement embraced by leading health, business, entertainment and sports organizations that are aimed at driving fundamental change in COPD awareness in this country.

To expand the movement and reach people through art, DRIVE4COPD has partnered with artist Michael Kalish to catapult COPD and the DRIVE4COPD pinwheel icon into the national spotlight. 24M was inspired by the iconic DRIVE4COPD pinwheel that symbolizes a person’s ability to breathe. It was created to encourage the public to take action to see if they may be at risk.

This first-of-its-kind monument represents the 24 million Americans who may be living with COPD. Kalish used his signature medium, the license plate, to create 24M. A total of 2,400 license plates were used to construct the 24 large-scale pinwheels, each standing between eight to 14 feet tall with a six-foot span. The number of license plates from each of the 50 states reflects the percentage of that state’s population affected by COPD. Each of the 24 pinwheels is secured to a base formed into the shape of one or more states that together form the map of the contiguous United States.

Artist Michael Kalish

The COPD Foundation and the New York COPD Coalition are organizing volunteers who will be on-site throughout the exhibit to guide visitors through the display and explain the importance of raising awareness for COPD. Those interested in volunteering should contact Jamie Lamson.