News Release

Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Offers COPD Workshop on World COPD Day

The annual event, World COPD Day is on Wedneday, November 18, 2009.  COPD is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a long-term lung disease usually caused by smoking. COPD includes a few lung diseases: the most common are chronic bronchitis and emphysema.  Symptoms of COPD are shortness of breath, increased mucus and coughing.

This year’s World COPD theme is “Breathless not Helpless”. 

In recognition of World COPD Day, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance’s Respiratory Health Centre is offering a workshop for individuals with COPD, and their families at Smitty’s Restaurant, Chatham, in the Pine Room at 6:00 pm. 

The goal of this workshop is to raise awareness about COPD and to offer information, strategies and choices that can assist individuals with this disease and to take control of their health and improve their quality of life. 

Spirometry testing (a simple breathing test) will be available between 6:00 – 7:00 pm on a first come first serve basis.  Following the testing, Dr. Bain-Atoe will offer the participants a presentation called, “Overview of COPD”.  Tracey Calabrese, Staff Physiotherapist at CKHA will speak about “Helping yourself to breathe easier”. 

There is no fee to attend. Registration is required and attendance is limited.  Please contact Angela Marion at (519) 352-6401, extension 6996 to register.  For more information about the workshop, contact Zofe Roberts at the Respiratory Health Centre (519) 437-6095 or email zroberts@ckha.on.ca 

For more information, please contact:

Zofe Roberts, Senior Registered Respiratory Therapist/Certified Respiratory Educator

Chatham-Kent Health Alliance

(519) 437-6095