DRIVE4COPD initiative aims to raise awareness of COPD

In just four months since its launch, DRIVE4COPD has already encouraged more than 100,000 people to be screened to see if they may be at risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).  The country's newest health initiative that aims to raise awareness of COPD in the hopes that people will talk to their doctor and get diagnosed instead of suffering in silence. Currently, half of the estimated 24 million Americans who may have COPD remain undiagnosed and untreated, and most are not diagnosed until they have lost half their lung function.

"Many people confuse common COPD symptoms, like shortness of breath or a cough that won't go away, with normal signs of aging and wait too long to see a doctor," said Brian Carlin, MD, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Drexel University School of Medicine. "Hopefully these first 100,000 people will be an inspiration for others to recognize the importance of finding out if they are risk."

To determine one's risk for COPD, people aged 35 and older can log onto DRIVE4COPD.COM and answer five brief questions on a validated screening tool.  If the screener indicates they may be at risk for COPD, the results should be printed and brought to their doctor to discuss.

Spearheaded by campaign ambassador and NASCAR Nationwide Series™ driver Danica Patrick, the DRIVE4COPD Race Team is in a year-long competition to screen the most people who may be at risk for COPD.  The Race Team includes Emmy-nominated actor Jim Belushi, Olympic Gold Medalist Bruce Jenner, Grammy Award-winning country music star Patty Loveless and Pro Football great Michael Strahan.  Each has a loved one who struggled with the disease.

"I couldn't believe it when I heard COPD was the fourth leading cause of death – it kills more people each year than diabetes and breast cancer combined," said Patrick, whose grandmother died of emphysema, a form of COPD. "I'm so grateful that my fans and their families have taken it seriously, taken the screener, and are helping to spread the word about DRIVE4COPD."

In addition to online screenings, the DRIVE4COPD campaign includes "Pit Stop" events across the country at NASCAR®-sanctioned races, state fairs, country music festivals and major sporting events.  Log onto DRIVE4COPD.COM to find upcoming Pit Stop locations.

DRIVE4COPD is led by Boehringer Ingelheim along with a powerful coalition of organizations including the American Lung Association, COPD Foundation and NASCAR®.  DRIVE4COPD is the Official Health Initiative of NASCAR.  

"It's inspiring to collaborate with so many great people dedicated to raising awareness of this progressive and deadly disease," said Chris Barrett, Senior Vice President at Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "Every screener taken means another person may get the help they need by sharing their results with their healthcare provider."

Winner of Ultimate NASCAR® Weekend Announced

Of the 100,000 Americans who have been screened to date, one lucky participant won the Ultimate NASCAR® Weekend at the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series™ "Coke Zero 400," which takes place July 2-4, 2010. Chicago resident Karl R. took the screener at DRIVE4COPD.COM and is going to be taking his family with him to the race.  

"I wasn't really aware of COPD before I took the screener," said Karl.  "You don't hear about it as much as you hear about heart disease or cancer, but I'm glad to know that right now I am not at a high risk for COPD."

New Prizes Announced

People who take the five-question screener now have the option of entering to win one of two new prizes:

• The Ultimate NASCAR® Weekend is a four-day/three-night trip for the winner and a guest, including tickets to the 2011 Daytona 500, plus VIP passes.  
• CMA Awards Trip Package: a three-day/two-night trip for the winner and a guest to attend the 2010 CMA Awards in Nashville, TN.