Danica Patrick is driven; okay we’ve known that for years. Only the drive she’s on these days doesn’t happen behind the wheel of 200mph race car.
Ms. Patrick is part of the drive to raise awareness of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) the fourth leading cause of death in the United States.
She says that knowledge is power; screening for the disease is easy and saves lives. One of those screenings will take place at Richmond International Raceway this weekend. And she’s racing in the Nationwide Series race on Friday night.
"Last year our goal was to screen one million people and we did that this year. We’re just about to hit two million -- that’s going great."
While her transition to a full-time NASCAR career, from IndyCar, is consuming her she still remembers her paternal grandmother. "My grandmother had COPD and passed away at 61. They really do suffer not just a disease that pops up and you go. She had a mask on. To see someone go so young," was difficult on Danica.
Part of the campaign involves the renowned artist and sculptor Michael Kalish who created the DRIVE 4COPD monument with 24 pinwheels representing the 24 million people in the United States alone who may have the disease.
So the popular driver takes the time out of personal life and professional transition to help those who are at risk for this fatal and painful disease.
In return fans come up to her and share their experiences of their own or family members who contracted the dreaded illness.
"Awareness is the key," says Ms. Patrick and screening is "the easiest way is to get aware."
"That’s why the more people who know the signs and symptoms will get diagnosed."
Ms. Patrick is part of the drive to raise awareness of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) the fourth leading cause of death in the United States.
She says that knowledge is power; screening for the disease is easy and saves lives. One of those screenings will take place at Richmond International Raceway this weekend. And she’s racing in the Nationwide Series race on Friday night.
"Last year our goal was to screen one million people and we did that this year. We’re just about to hit two million -- that’s going great."
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| Danica Patrick. (Photo: COPD Awareness) |
While her transition to a full-time NASCAR career, from IndyCar, is consuming her she still remembers her paternal grandmother. "My grandmother had COPD and passed away at 61. They really do suffer not just a disease that pops up and you go. She had a mask on. To see someone go so young," was difficult on Danica.
Part of the campaign involves the renowned artist and sculptor Michael Kalish who created the DRIVE 4COPD monument with 24 pinwheels representing the 24 million people in the United States alone who may have the disease.
So the popular driver takes the time out of personal life and professional transition to help those who are at risk for this fatal and painful disease.
In return fans come up to her and share their experiences of their own or family members who contracted the dreaded illness.
"Awareness is the key," says Ms. Patrick and screening is "the easiest way is to get aware."
"That’s why the more people who know the signs and symptoms will get diagnosed."