Shared Stories
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Jace S. While working I was called and told news that forever changed me. "Jace, Raroo (grandma) has severe COPD and was given six months to two years left to live."
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Alexandra S. I was diagnosed with Valley Fever in 2014 and battled it for many years. On October 15, 2021 I entered the hospital with an almost completely collapsed lung.
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Cynthia W. I was diagnosed in 2010 with COPD. In the past twelve years the air quality around me has impacted the progression of my situation incredibly often.
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Bill D. Happy Earth Day 2022: I was born with asthma so my parents quit smoking cigarettes. Air pollution growing up in D.C. area in the 1960's as well as allergies triggered many severe, almost fatal asthma attacks.
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Carl H. My name is Carl Heltzel and I am a PhD chemist, writer, and author. About 13 years ago, I was helping my mother in her garden when she had pain in her chest.
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Linda S. I began smoking when I was in the military. I was never a heavy smoker and after I married at the age of 23, while pregnant, I gave up the bad habit and when my child turned two, I started up again.
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Meghan L. I have been suffering with undiagnosed breathing problems probably all my life, but I did not start getting help until fall of 2020 at Penn Medicine following an employer annual physical.
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Donna L. My family is no stranger to lung disease. My father developed occupational-related exposure asthma when he was in his 40's.
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Edward D. Mayo Clinic removed my left thyroid and a section of my thymus in 2017. Positive for neuroendocrine carcinoma.
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James S. Hello my name is James. I started to work early in life and I try to enjoy it.
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Joann L. I have both asthma and COPD. I worked as a nurse and a few other her job types, my own business. I
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Tripp A. Me and a couple other fourth grade students are creating a presentation and board game against smoking we want to let people know how much smoking can affect your life ranging from health to climate change.
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Shai G. My mom had COPD, asthma, MS, and muscle issues at the early age of her early thirties.
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Judy R. I have pulmonary fibrosis. I first became aware of a problem when I was 22 -years-old. I woke up one morning with horrible pain in my upper back.
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Jessie H. I grew up living by a military runway and we were under the flight path. I'd look up when the 747 flew over my head and see the bottom of the plane.
