DRIVE4COPD announced the unveiling of 24M: The DRIVE4COPD Monument, a visual representation of the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the United States. Reaching 14 feet at its highest peak and spanning half a football field, this first-of-its-kind monument comprised of 24 large-scale pinwheels to represent the 24 million Americans who may be living with COPD, was designed by internationally renowned artist and sculptor Michael Kalish.
Launched in February 2010, DRIVE4COPD is a landmark public health movement embraced by leading health, business, entertainment and sports organizations that are aimed at driving fundamental change in COPD awareness in this country. To expand the movement and reach people through art, DRIVE4COPD has partnered with Michael Kalish to catapult COPD and the DRIVE4COPD pinwheel icon into the national spotlight. 24M was inspired by the iconic DRIVE4COPD pinwheel that symbolizes a person’s ability to breathe. It was created to encourage the public to take action to see if they may be at risk.
Kalish used his signature medium, the license place, to create 24M. A total of 2,400 license plates were used to construct the 24 large-scale pinwheels, each standing between eight to 14 feet tall with a six-foot span. The number of license plates from each of the 50 states reflects the percentage of that state’s population affected by COPD. Each of the 24 pinwheels is secured to a base formed into the shape of one or more states that together form the map of the contiguous United States.
The U.S COPD Coalition will be participating in 24M by helping drive attendance and organizing volunteers who will be on-site to guide visitors through the exhibit and discuss the importance of raising COPD awarness. Please contact Jamie Lamson, jlamson@uscopdcoalition.org or more information about this opportunity.
Specific details regarding dates and locations of the 24M tour can be found at DRIVE4COPD.COM, along with information about DRIVE4COPD and 24M, an exclusive video, and an audio tour. Site visitors can also take a brief, five-question screener to see if they might be at risk for COPD.
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