GlaxoSmithKline and the Philippine College of Chest Physicians (PCCP) spearheaded a new campaign called #MakeTimeForDad FOR World COPD Day.
Dolphy and COPD
Ever since the Philippines mourned the demise of The King of Comedy, Dolphy has become the face of not just the latter but COPD, as well. I remember when a good friend mentioned her father’s illness – for it to make sense and be understood, she had to mention “what Dolphy had,” for me get it.
Epy Quizon was there to share his family’s story on the realities of having a loved who suffer COPD. In the last few years of his life, while his father, Dolphy continued to make people smile, the family was desperately trying hard to keep theirs, knowing that their patriarch was risking his health with every performance.
“Dad lived to perform, even if he was already wheelchair-bound and could barely stand, he would revert back into his old self whenever the cameras started rolling,” shared son Eric Quizon. According to his son, actor-director Eric Quizon, his father was a heavy smoker who started smoking in his teen years. “He was 45 when he went cold turkey after being diagnosed with emphysema and by that time, his lungs were so black.”
It was when Dolphy was 79 years old that he was diagnosed with COPD. His health then went downward spiral as the once vibrant Comedy King started become lethargic. Aside from frequent coughs and shortness of breath, Eric said his dad would complain of tiredness after taking a few steps. He then continued to deteriorate. Epy mentioned of the feeling of helplessness during times that his father was suffering.
Dolphy’s journey as a COPD patient has become the most familiar patient story for Filipinos as his constant hospitalizations and deteriorating health were always part of the news.
#MakeTimeForDad
Make Time for Dad is a campaign that encourages family members to upload 30-second videos on their social media account, saying that things that they want to do or which they had the chance to do with their fathers.
I did record a video and mentioned about the things I appreciate and would like to enjoy with my father. I mentioned wanting to travel again with him and mama like we did in 2012. 🙂
The Quizon brothers Eric and Epy are frontlining the campaign in honor of their father. Epi said, “Our dad died because of COPD and we just found out it is actually one of the leading causes of death in the country. We want to educate people, and make them aware of the disease. We hope this will give them a clearer picture of how the disease affects not only the patient but the entire family,”
What We Should Know About COPD
COPD is a progressive lung ailment that makes breathing difficult and invariably leads to death. It is the seventh killer disease in the Philippines, which is not surprising in a country where there are 17.3 million adult smokers Unfortunately, only 2% of the 4.2 million Filipinos are diagnosed.
Cigarette smoking causes 80% to 90% of COPD cases. Aside from smoking, pollution – both indoor and outdoor – can also cause COPD, according to studies by the World Health Organization.
Patients who are suffering from COPD experience breathlessness, abnormal sputum characterized by a mix of saliva and mucus, and chronic cough.
As COPD is a progressive disease it becomes a familial problem, much like the case of the Quizon family. Once the father is affected, the rest of the family assumes the responsibility of taking care of the patient and they play an important role in a patient’s treatment journey.
People are often diagnosed with COPD in their 50s and 60s. However, these diagnoses are relatively late as COPD can begin in your 40s.
“Do not make the mistake of a lot of patients who usually see their doctors when they are already in the later stages of COPD. It is easy to confuse COPD with other conditions such as smoker’s cough and shortness of breath due to ageing but if your father is a smoker and he begins to experience coughing with phlegm and an unusual breathing pattern, consult a doctor. He may be asked to get a spirometry exam to diagnose COPD,” says Dr. Gio Barangan, GSK’s Medical Director.
Spirometry is a simple breathing test that gauges how much and how quickly air moves out of the lungs. It measures the lung function in patients and determines the progression of the disease. Dr. Barangan says if COPD is detected early, patients will have fewer limitations on their activity.