Organisation British Lung Foundation
Campaign COPD Day
PR team In-house
Date 16 November
Budget £50,000
COPD affects around three million Brits – but two thirds are unaware they have it. Symptoms include coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Those particularly at risk include smokers and ex-smokers – the main target group for PR activity.
The BLF has commissioned research into patients' perceptions of COPD, the results of which will be promoted by a press release.
Other PR activity involves free breathing testing in 21 Superdrug stores during the week starting 14 November, while the BLF also wants to raise at least £30,000 from the sale of £1 glow-in-the-dark wristbands. GPs will be targeted by a mailout, while healthcare professionals will organise local activities.
Dinners at the House of Commons and Welsh Assembly have also been organised.
The activity is supported by Boehringer Ingelheim/ Pfizer (the drugs firms behind COPD treatment Spiriva), diagnostic product firm Vitalograph and the Association for Respiratory Technology and Physiology.
BLF press officer Lindi Maqhubela said: 'This is one of our largest campaigns with the biggest interaction with a variety of audiences.'
Outside the UK, activity is co-ordinated by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease under the theme 'Breathless not Helpless!'.
For further information contact the BLF press office on 020 7688 5564.
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