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[/media-credit]DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The COPD Foundation’s DRIVE4COPD national public health initiative announced today that it has renewed its title sponsorship for the DRIVE4COPD 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway through 2014.
“Since 2010, DRIVE4COPD has joined efforts with the NASCAR Nationwide Series race during Budweiser Speedweeks to raise national awareness about COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease),” said Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III. “DRIVE4COPD has been an outstanding partner. It has increased awareness, and promoted early detection of the disease that kills 1 out of 4 Americans. This is a cause we fully support and I look forward to continuing this relationship for years to come.”
“As the official Health Initiative of NASCAR, I view this as an incredible opportunity to vastly expand COPD awareness to identify the 12 million Americans that remain undiagnosed and make certain that they have access to the support and education needed for early detection to improve their lives,” said John Walsh, president and co-founder of the COPD Foundation. “The DRIVE4COPD and Daytona International Speedway relationship is one that benefits all Americans. By increasing awareness of COPD with screenings, educational programs, and research, we will work to halt the advancement of this devastating lung disease.”
The stars of NASCAR return to Daytona International Speedway on July 6-7, 2012. Tickets to the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, featuring a special hour-long pre-race concert by multiplatinum, Grammy-winning superstars Train, and the Subway Jalapeno 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race are available by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.
Fans can also stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter (www.twitter.com/disupdates) and Facebook ( www.facebook.com/DaytonaInternationalSpeedway) for all the latest news all season long.
About DRIVE4COPD:
Led by the COPD Foundation, 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 and action in this country. This initiative aims to help millions of people affected by COPD by focusing national attention on this common and debilitating disease.
The unified efforts of the DRIVE4COPD network of organizations help people identify symptoms of COPD, take action to see if they may be at risk for the disease, and talk to their healthcare provider.
Joining the DRIVE4COPD initiative is NASCAR Nationwide Series™ Driver Danica Patrick, who lost a loved one to COPD and knows first-hand the impact of the disease. Visit www.DRIVE4COPD.org for more information.
About the COPD Foundation:
The mission of the COPD Foundation is to develop and support programs, which improve the quality of life through research, education, early diagnosis, and enhanced therapy for persons whose lives are impacted by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Visit www.copdfoundation.org for information. Click on www.DRIVE4COPD.org/screener and get screened today.
