Story

Mrs. Gertrude Tardiff is a very active person despite the fact she suffers from a disease that takes her breath away. She suffers from one of the most common causes of death in North America today—Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

COPD is a disease of the lung that is caused by the blocking of the airways in the lungs. There is no cure and the disease is rising in prevalence.

As a young child, Mrs. Tardiff remembers spending many Christmas holidays in-doors recuperating from repetitive attacks of bronchitis and pneumonia. In spite of these attacks, she still continued to skate, downhill ski, bicycle, swim, play basketball and soccer.

Today, after many years of repeated COPD flare ups and a major pulmonary arrest in 1997, she is still as active as ever. “After I recovered from my pulmonary arrest I knew that I had been given a second chance in life. I decided to make a major lifestyle change. I began to eat healthier, exercise and rest more,” says Mrs. Tardiff.

Mrs. Tardiff also contacted The Lung Association and enrolled in their ‘Breathworks Shortness of Breath’ Maintenance Program.’ The program, supported by The Lung Association and Healthpartners, is an example of how donations support community services and directly benefit people who suffer from lung disease. It is a physical activity program, monitored by a registered respiratory care practitioner that provides a place to meet, exercise and socialize with others with similar respiratory problems.

Mrs. Tardiff thinks this is an excellent program and that it has definitely helped her to maintain her healthy lifestyle. She is 69 years old and for the past three years has been cross country skiing with an oxygen tank on her back.