• 1989 – At 50 years old Nick experienced shortness of breath and had heart attack #1
• 1996 – Diagnosed with COPD and had heart attack #2. Decided to STOP SMOKING.
• 1997 – Enrolled in Martial Arts and Tai Chi
• 2001 – Went on supplemental oxygen
• 2002 – Founded the Villages Airheads Support Group

Nick’s support group is going strong to this day!
For 19 years he lived with COPD. 
We believe Nick won the battle!
As Nick always said, “Today’s a great day to Breathe Strong!”

• 1991 – At 45 years old Karen experienced shortness of breath
• 1992 – Diagnosed with Emphysema and decided to STOP SMOKING
• 2003 – Diagnosed with COPD and started on Oxygen 24/7
• 2007 – Started Pulmonary Rehab and learned breathing techniques
• 2008 – Became a Patient Advocate
• 2015 – Joined a Breathing Club
• 2022 – For the past 30 years Karen has lived with COPD and still going strong!

We believe Karen is winning the COPD BATTLE!

Start your battle plan…Today!

• As a respiratory therapist of 40 years, Bob didn’t always feel like he could personally identify with his lung health patients.
• In the past year he went from a diabetic who could sort of relate to people with COPD, to someone with a heart attack and subsequently major cardiac surgery.
• He then had symptoms of shortness of breath that he couldn’t attribute to his heart issues.
• Bob made the decision to empower himself, and sought another cardiologist for a second option.
• This doctor found something on his chest and thus saved his life. He was diagnosed with lung cancer and malignant melanoma. So he is now a lung patient, too.

• Mary had no breathing issues in childhood or adulthood.
• She developed a cough around the age of 68, which she ignored.
• Students in her classes knew what to do when she stepped into the hall for a coughing fit.
• At 70, she was diagnosed with reactive lung disease and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis.
• She no longer has symptoms of reactive lung disease.
• She participated in a hospital-based pulmonary rehab for several years gaining invaluable skill, knowledge, and companionship.
• Mary retired at 74 and participates in Marilyn Klingler’s pulmonary rehab zoom support group.

Childhood – Pat had asthma as a child, which progressed into severe allergies for the remainder of her life.
1964 – Started smoking and continued to do so through college and the rest of her working life.
2007 – Diagnosed with COPD
2009 – Hospitalized for 45 days and then confined to a rehab center. Decided to QUIT SMOKING.
Given 6 months to live, Pat determined that only she could be in charge of her life. She went home and admitted herself to outpatient private rehab.
2017 – Moved to Florida and joined a support group
2019 – Attended Active Pulmonary Rehab
2020 – President of Villages Airhead Pulmonary Support Group