Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease will be front and center on two upcoming nationally televised morning shows. Hosted by veteran journalist Ted Koppel, CBS Sunday Morning will air a 12-minute segment on COPD on Sunday, November 26th. The program will air at 9:00 am eastern time.
This is not just another news story for Koppel, but a very personal one. Koppel’s wife, Grace Anne Dorney Koppel, was diagnosed with COPD in 2001, and has since devoted her life to raising awareness of the disease, increasing research, and improving treatment of the disease. Grace Anne emphasizes what a rare opportunity this broadcast offers to get the word out about the third-leading cause of death in America. “Since COPD is rarely featured in major broadcast media, this is an opportunity in COPD Awareness Month to reach 6 million viewers and educate them about COPD; educate viewers about our need for research dollars if we hope to have better treatments; educate viewers about our need for access to better treatments- particularly pulmonary rehabilitation”
Grace Anne Dorney Koppel noted that her husband wanted to do this story about COPD because he has seen first-hand the burden the disease places on those who suffer from it and their loved ones, and because of the general apathy about the #3 killer of Americans. “We both believe that empowering patients and educating the public is vital. This is key to getting support for the COPD National Action Plan both in the COPD community, in the public at large, in the halls of our elected officials. This is also an opportunity to reach millions of viewers and introduce them to Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease and the COPD National Action Plan”.
In addition to the CBS Sunday Morning broadcast, the CBS Morning Show will feature an interview with Ted and Grace Anne on Monday, November 20th. That segment is scheduled to air in the 8:30-9:00 am eastern time slot.