John Floyd who last year would become winded by just bending over to tie his shoes has lost over 60lbs after he started running. What started as a mission to lose weight and lead a healthier lifestyle has became a passion.
Floyd has now decided to give back by running for charity. His mother suffers from COPD.
COPD which stands for Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the occurrence of chronic bronchitis or emphysema, a pair of commonly co-existing diseases of the lungs in which the airways become narrowed. This leads to a limitation of the flow of air to and from the lungs, causing shortness of breath (dyspnea). In contrast to asthma, this limitation is poorly reversible and usually gets progressively worse over time.
COPD is caused by noxious particles or gas, most commonly from tobacco smoking, which triggers an abnormal inflammatory response in the lung. Worldwide, COPD ranked as the sixth leading cause of death in 1990. It is projected to be the fourth leading cause of death worldwide by 2030 due to an increase in smoking rates and demographic changes in many countries. COPD is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and the economic burden of COPD in the U.S. in 2007 was $42.6 billion in health care costs and lost productivity.
Here is what Floyd has to say on his Fundraising webpage:
“As many of you know, I’ve taken this last year to become healthier in many aspects of my life. In that year, I’ve dropped over 60lbs and discovered a passion for running. At first, I barely managed 200 feet without huffing and puffing with my heart pounding against my chest and now I am taking on my biggest challenge to date, the Marshall University Half Marathon (13.1 miles/21Km) on November 11th.
After I got my confirmation that I had successfully registered for this run, the self-doubt and worry began leaking into my mind. What was I thinking! I decided to take the focus off me and my running the distance and make it about something bigger than myself, something beneficial to many people. So, I decided to take on a charity for my run. That charity is the COPD Foundation.
Why do I care?
My mother currently has advanced stage COPD and, for her, there is nothing more that can be done. She has lost 40% of her lung function and has to be on oxygen all the time as well as inhalers and other lung and breathing drugs. This disease will kill her one day as it becomes worse and worse. For her, she struggles every day just to do what most of us take for granted, breathe.
What can you do?
I am looking to support the COPD Foundation by seeking charitable donations in the amount of $13.10 to reflect the 13.1 miles I will be running. Of course, you can donate whatever you feel like donating from $0.01 to whatever you can afford. Those who donate through the First Givings website will have their name, the date of the donation, and comment posted on this website to display your support for the COPD Foundation and me as I put sole to ground on Nov. 11th.
Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.
Many thanks for your support – and don’t forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!”
If you would like to donate to this great cause and show Floyd your support, please visit his Fundraising Page today!
