DRIVE4COPD, the national campaign to increase public awareness of COPD, has changed its organizational leadership. Led since its inception by [removed]Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc[/removed], the DRIVE4COPD campaign will now be led by the COPD Foundation, a not-for-profit organization focused on education, early diagnosis, and research.
“Although we have screened more than two million people for risk of COPD to date, there are still many more people to reach,” says Kathleen Dowd, vice president of respiratory marketing for Boehringer Ingelheim. “That’s why we are pleased to announce that we are transitioning leadership of the DRIVE4COPD program to the COPD Foundation. This change will enable the Campaign to engage broader support and collaboration with more stakeholders."
Boehringer Ingelheim and the COPD Foundation, along with several other organizations have been working together since the DRIVE4COPD campaign was launched in 2010.
“We’re honored that the campaign organizations, most especially Boehringer Ingelheim, felt that the COPD Foundation’s established credibility and proven performance in implementing programs to support COPD education, awareness and research uniquely qualified us to lead DRIVE4COPD,” says John Walsh, president and co-founder of the COPD Foundation. “I view this as an incredible opportunity to vastly expand COPD awareness to identify the millions of Americans that remain undiagnosed and make certain that they have access to the support and education needed to improve their lives."
Boehringer Ingelheim will continue as a founding sponsor and financial contributor to the DRIVE4COPD as the campaign shifts its focus to include not only screenings but also continued sharing of health-related information with those at risk. Through continuing relationships with US businesses, the campaign hopes to increase awareness among employees, families, and health care providers about COPD and its potential for prevention, early identification, and treatment.
Source: COPD Foundation
