Christiansburg councilman Harry Collins knows the struggle with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) first hand. He was diagnosed with the condition in 2009 after ongoing breathing problems.
COPD survivor Harry Collins (left) starts Saturday’s charity motorcycle ride in Christiansburg. Also, pictured are: Jeremy Williams (middle) and Scott Canada, who both participated in the 100-mile event.
COPD is a progressive lung disease that takes the life out of your lungs. Symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing or a chronic cough. For those living with the problem, every breath is a struggle.
The latest numbers show that almost 15 million Americans have been diagnosed with the breathing problem, and another 12 million may have COPD that hasn’t yet been diagnosed.
Collins spent several weeks in the hospital and was told he was going to die within months unless he received a lung transplant. He was referred to Duke Hospital and within 21 days he received a transplant. His body rejected the transplant three times, but with medicine and the help of doctors he is now living a normal life.
“I only have half of my original lung capacity, but I am breathing,” he said.
The largest cause of COPD is a history of smoking cigarettes, which Collins did for years.
Collins still has to take medicine to make sure his body doesn’t reject the lungs, and there are routine visits back to Duke Hospital. But he’s smiling every day he is able to get up in the morning.
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute says 78 percent of lung transplant patients only survive beyond one-year, 63 percent will live for three years beyond transplant. Collins is working on nine years.
He celebrated life at a motorcycle ride Saturday in Christiansburg to benefit others facing the same challenge. The event was billed as: “Cruisin’ to Save Lungs Street Rally” with the theme of “Ride Hard, Breath Easy” the Third Annual Lung Transplant Foundation Benefit Rally.
At estimated 70 riders took part in the 100-mile event that started in the New River Valley and stretched through the back roads of southwest Virginia.
Scott Canada was one of those riders.
“This is a great cause and when you’re able to ride on the bike and breathe the clean air, it’s the blessing and a lot of people are not able to do that because of COPD and other health problems. So, I ride for them,” he said.
Collins said the idea for the ride came from friends and he is proud that it has been so well received.
All of the funds raised will got to help residents in the New River Valley as they have to deal with health problems associated with COPD.
Collins admits he was one of the lucky ones after receiving a lung transplant.
“I have a positive attitude every day with the biggest reason that I now have being eight grandkids,” he said Saturday.
It’s because of his journey that he joined a national Lung Transplant Association and helped start fundraising efforts here locally like the motorcycle ride and a golf tournament.
“I wanted to give back and help others that might be facing the same thing I did,” he said.
Twenty-five people received lung transplants in and around the same time Collins did. Six are still living and Collins said they have a tight-knit friendship—their own fraternity of sorts.
Over the years, Collins has tried to find out where his transplant lungs came from with no avail.
“I want to personally thank the family for giving me life, but privacy laws have not allowed me to find out anything,” he said.
While he’s modest, Collins is an example to others that there is hope.
“Maybe someone else can receive some encouragement from what I have gone through. I hope so,” he said.
Texas Roadhouse served as the host site for the charity motorcycle event on Saturday and provided lunch when the riders returned from the three-hour ride.
ry day with the biggest reason that I now have being eight grandkids,” he said Saturday.
It’s because of his journey that he joined a national Lung Transplant Association and helped start fundraising efforts here locally like the motorcycle ride and a golf tournament.
“I wanted to give back and help others that might be facing the same thing I did,” he said.
Twenty-five people received lung transplants in and around the same time Collins did. Six are still living and Collins said they have a tight-knit friendship—their own fraternity of sorts.
Over the years, Collins has tried to find out where his transplant lungs came from with no avail. “I want to personally thank the family for giving me life, but privacy laws have not allowed me to find out anything,” he said.
While he’s modest, Collins is an example to others that there is hope. “Maybe someone else can receive some encouragement from what I have gone through. I hope so,” he said.
Texas Roadhouse served as the host site for the charity motorcycle event on Saturday and provided lunch when the riders returned from the three-hour ride.
