A Letter From the COPD Coaches

We would like to thank all of our readers for the great letters and comments for our Ask the Coach section. We hope that they have provided our readers with the information they need to be more proactive in their COPD management.

The COPD Foundation has since its early beginnings depended on and and benefited from the dedication and work of our volunteer base. The COPD Information Line was organized and staffed by volunteer COPD patients and caregivers as was our fulfillment department. Volunteering your time is a great way of getting involved, as well as allowing the opportunity to be in the forefront of current research and trends!

The Coaches Corner is a program staffed by volunteer patients and caregivers. Together we research and monitor the web for current information on COPD, answer correspondence from other patients and caregivers, and consult on articles for the COPD Digest. Participation in the program does not require a great deal of time, but can provide a lot of satisfaction. If you would be interested in participating in the program send us an email at coachescorner@copdfoundation.org or call our C.O.P.D. Information Line.

There are also other ways to volunteer your time. Our advocacy program continues to grow, and we are looking for patients and caregivers to fill a variety of roles. Most of the work of the advocates can be done at home, and only requires making occasional phone calls and writing letters. While the work is not intensive or time consuming, it is vital! Advocacy is the way that we allow our voices to be heard on national and state levels. Operation 435 is an effort to have representatives in every congressional district willing and able to voice concerns on emerging legislation impacting COPD. Even if you are homebound, this is a great way to help the cause. To participate or to get more information call our C.O.P.D. Information Line.

If you are more active, you might wish to participate in our COPD Foundation Speakers Bureau. We get requests from all over the country to participate in respiratory rallies, or to speak with professional groups. Unfortunately, we do not have the staff or resources to cover all of these events. If you would be willing to speak or participate in your local area, call Bill Clark, our Director of Patient and Community Outreach at (866) 791-2673 or email him at wclark@copdfoundation.org.

The search of new treatments and cures requires the work of everyone, and our COPD community continues lead the way. We sincerely hope that you will consider one or more of the opportunities we have described and become a member of our volunteer family! Once again, for more information on any of these opportunities call our C.O.P.D. Information Line at (866) 316-COPD (2673).

Best regards,

The COPD Coach