November 19, 2008 COPD sufferers see glimmer of hope at Fallon Play video

(NECN: Katie Daly, Worcester, Mass.) - A deadly disease is claiming more lives. Some say it could be one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. in just a few years.

Three years ago, Virginia Duhamel came to the Fallon Clinic in Worcester, thinking she had a lingering cold. Turns out, it was much more.

Virginia was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe.

Smoking is the primary cause of COPD. Virginia smoked for 50 years. She cannot reverse the damage to her lungs, but several times a month she takes part in the COPD disease management program at the Fallon Clinic.

Dr. Richard Roseiello is the Chief of Pulmonary Care at Fallon. He says proper nutrition and exercise, along with prescribed medication, has made the program at Fallon one of the best in the country.

It is estimated that COPD will be the third leading cause of death by 2020. While there is no cure, Virginia is trying to get the word out on prevention.