COPD patient group marks a milestone
Ten years ago this Summer a group of patients held a meeting in the Southern Hotel Sligo.
That evening, the Benbulben COPD (Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease) support group was founded which has grown from strength to strength ever since. The group was established with the help of the respiratory team at Sligo University Hospital. The medical team there continue to offer advice to the group today.
The group is led by patient Michael Mc Gloin who has worked tirelessly for the last 18 years for COPD sufferers and is the president of the National COPD advocacy and support service.
“Alone we can do so little: together we can make a difference,” he says, “That is our motto.”
COPD also known as Emphysema or Chronic Bronchitis is a common illness affecting up to 110,000 adults in Ireland. It is a chronic condition and is more prevalent in people over 50. It is the second highest cause of death in Ireland. The condition’s most common symptoms are shortness of breath and coughing.
Michael says: “The group was the first support group of its kind in Ireland, with a National COPD office established in 2013 which now has 17 support groups affiliated. The group is celebrating its 10 th anniversary this year. The aim of the Benbulben COPD support group is to offer support to individuals, their families and carers. Members can get information on the illness, on medications, new developments and receive advice on healthy lifestyles, such as diet and nutritional information. We also organise social events.”