Bronchiectasis is an important part of the COPD Foundation’s mission. If you aren’t familiar with bronchiectasis, it is a chronic lung condition that causes airways to become widened or scarred. The lung produces too much mucus causing pooling to occur. When mucus pools in the airways, it can cause a person to have repeated lung infections. Many people with COPD know that a lung infection can not only set you back physically, but it can also be difficult financially (time off from work and cost of medications), mentally, and emotionally (not feeling confident and/or depressed).
For those with bronchiectasis to live well, they need to get diagnosed quickly and treatment started.1 Treatment goals for those diagnosed are to clear the airways of mucus, prevent lung infections, reduce swelling in the airways, and improve or maintain quality of life.2
The Bronchiectasis and NTM 360 division of the COPD Foundation understood that there needed to be more awareness of bronchiectasis. In 2022, they announced that on July 1st, the world would celebrate World Bronchiectasis Day. (Isn’t that awesome!) For this day to be a success though, it needed support and recognition throughout the world. More than 20 different global organizations and experts joined together and helped plan World Bronchiectasis Day.
July 1st, 2023 will be the second year the world will come together to bring more awareness to bronchiectasis. The Bronchiectasis and NTM 360 team have created a webinar series called, “Feeling Your Best with Bronchiectasis.” This series brings together experts from across the USA and focuses on topics important to the bronchiectasis community. A free Patient & Caregiver Toolkithas just launched in honor of World Bronchiectasis Day. This toolkit contains educational materials, a medication record wallet card, and a promotional image for you to share on WBD. There is a global list of events that you can participate in on World Bronchiectasis Day. You can join in an online or virtual event from anywhere around the world! Head to the BronchandNTM360social activity calendar for all of the details.
We hope that you will join us in celebrating World Bronchiectasis Day. Share our posts on social media, support WBD efforts by purchasing swag, or just by bringing up bronchiectasis when talking to others. For more information on World Bronchiectasis Day and how to get involved visit www.WorldBronchiectasisDay.org.
References
1. Lesan A, Lamle AE. Short review on the diagnosis and treatment of bronchiectasis. Med Pharm Rep. 2019;92(2):111-116. doi:10.15386/cjmed-1060.
2. Chalmers JD, Aliberti S, Blasi F. Management of bronchiectasis in adults. Eur Respir J. 2015 May;45(5):1446-62. doi: 10.1183/09031936.00119114. Epub 2015 Mar 18. PMID: 25792635