I am fundraising for the American Lung Association as i have suffered with asthma since I was 4 years old, and as a tribute to my beautiful Nana whom I loved so much. She suffered from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) for 15 years. I remember her coughing frequently and using her nebulizer(a machine that uses medication to help your lungs breathe air)

She was always self conscious that people would think that her coughing was contagious so she would let them know she had COPD. 

Little by little as it progressed it started taking pieces of her freedom and joy away. It made it difficult for her to walk like she enjoyed and even going shopping became difficult. She had to give up singing in her church choir after 30 years because she didn’t want her coughing interrupting the mass. I know that must have been very sad for her since she enjoyed that very much. 

I would like to say that she didn’t ever smoke so we aren’t sure how she got it. She was around smokers for the majority of her life so it was like she was smoking and her lungs got damaged.

It’s important to mention that we have to remember that our actions can affect other people in very severe and tragic ways. In my Nanas case it made her terribly sick.

My Nana peacefully passed away July 31, 2022. My family and I miss her very much. She was so kindhearted and fun. She always made me feel so loved. 

Please help me in honoring my Nana by donating in her memory in hopes for a cure to COPD and all lung disorders.

Thank you very much,

Ava D’Andrea