COPD Foundation to lead DRIVE4COPD campaign

The successful national campaign to increase public awareness of COPD changed organizational leadership effective March 23, 2012. Led since inception by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., a leader in developing medicines to treat COPD, the DRIVE4COPD campaign will now be led by the COPD Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the education, early diagnosis, research and enhanced therapy for people with lives impacted by COPD.

“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.”

"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 BIPI. "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 have been working together, along with several other organizations interested in helping identify and improve the lives of people with COPD, since the program 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.