A5

By ADAM BOWIE
bowie.adam@dailygleaner.com

Stumble Upon

del.icio.us

Digg

Facebook

Print

Email

Speak Up

The New Brunswick Lung Association is hoping to raise awareness about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by challenging people across the province to participate in a step-counting competition.

The respiratory disease inflames a person's lungs and can obstruct or block breathing, causing people to create extra mucus and frequently cough, choke and spit.

An estimated 714,000 Canadians have been diagnosed with COPD, but studies suggest that many thousands more go undiagnosed.

Lung association spokeswoman Louise Steeves said educating New Brunswickers about COPD will improve their quality of life.

"A lot of people think, 'Well, I'm getting older and I can't do as much as I used to,' or, 'I can't go as far without getting short of breath,' but that's not a normal part of aging," she said.

"That has something to do with your lung capacity. So you need to get that checked out as soon as you notice the symptoms, because the earlier you get treatment for that, the better your prognosis."

So she said that's why the Lung Association has launched its national competition - the Coast 2 Coast Challenge.

Steeves said people can contact the New Brunswick branch to receive a free pedometer, and use it to measure their steps between now and Wednesday.

Every participant's steps will be added to a national total, which will symbolize a trek across the country in support of COPD treatment and prevention.

"One of the underlying goals is to attract people who normally aren't very active," said Steeves.

"We're hoping this will help get them involved in new activity and to show them this isn't so bad, and will push them to go further and further."

For more information about the competition, or to participate, people can call 455-8961, ext. 101, or email info@nb.lung.ca.