NASCAR Star Joins COPD Awareness Campaign

By: Kafi Drexel

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD is a serious disease that more than 24 million Americans suffer from. It's also the fourth leading cause of death. Now a campaign is underway to stop it in its tracks. NY1's Kafi Drexel filed the following report.

As a NASCAR driver, Danica Patrick rarely slows down. But she's now part of a national campaign to help put the brakes on a serious illness, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. It's a disease that takes more lives than breast cancer and diabetes combined -- something Patrick knows about all too well after losing her grandmother to COPD.

"She was only in her mid 60s and it was just sad to see the quality of life with a disease like this it just goes down so much especially in the end," Patrick recalled. "You end up not being able to breathe on your own. She was on oxygen 24 hours a day. She had a mask. She couldn't walk at that point. She was in a wheelchair as well. It's just really unfortunate."

Patrick is among a wide group of individuals including celebrities, along with sports and health care organizations attaching their names to the DRIVE4COPD campaign, a national awareness campaign that encourages Americans to learn more about the disease and get screened if they think they're at risk. COPD is a progressive disease in which breathing becomes more difficult and worsens over time. Smokers are at greatest risk but exposure to secondhand smoke, and indoor and outdoor pollution can also be causes.

"Anybody that's over the age of 35 and have smoked over 100 cigarettes, some people would say even have smoked in the past can be particularly at risk. The symptoms you want to look for are shortness of breath, cough with or without mucous production or cutting down your activity levels," said Dr. Brian Carlin, a pulmonologist.

A five question survey on the campaign website DRIVE4COPD.com helps assess your risk and whether you should talk to a doctor.

"Not only is there tons of information of course but it is the easiest way to be aware of where you are at, to know whether or not you should talk to your doctor and take the next steps. If not for you, for your family," Patrick said.

Since the beginning of the campaign they've managed to screen more than half a million Americans and they are still hoping to screen hundreds of thousands more.

Doctors say the earlier they can catch the disease the more treatable it is before it's too late.

To find out more and take the screening survey, visit www.DRIVE4COPD.com.