Letter to the Prime Minister of Canada

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(Date Here)

 

The Honourable Stephen Harper

Prime Minister of Canada

Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON  K1A 0A2
 

 

Dear Mr. Prime Minister;

 

         As an asthma sufferer you know what it’s like to NOT to be able to BREATHE.  It’s a scary situation isn’t it? Now imagine what it would be like if you didn’t have the best and most effective medicines. It’s terrifying; even worse, you could die without them.  As a matter of fact; one of the same drugs you may possibly rely on is Symbicort, and though proven to help those with COPD and  keep us out of the emergency rooms, it  isn’t covered by most  provincial medical plans.  

 

        With asthma; unlike COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), you can take your meds and your overall situation can be reversed. For those with COPD it doesn’t work that way. We take meds to control our symptoms and reduce flare-ups.  But; COPD is a progressive disease. 

 

        Health Canada’s 2001 report “Respiratory Diseases In Canada” stated that  in 1998 9,041 Canadians died of COPD….5,398 males; 3,643 females.  This year alone, 4,300 women will die from this disease of which there is no cure.

 

        Currently COPD is the 4th leading cause of death in our country, by 2020 it’s anticipated to be the 3rd.   $1.67 billion dollars (in 1998) was spent in health care for those with this disease.  The newer drugs can reduce the number of ER visits and hospitalizations . It’s obvious then that the overall costs would be reduced. Isn’t that what we all want as taxpayers? And let’s not talk about ambulatory oxygen which  has been proven to extend our lives yet you have to be on death’s door to get it, or Rehab which less than 2% of us are able to participate in due to lack of funding.

 

        Did you know Sir that, according to the Canadian Lung Association, since 2000, “female deaths due to COPD has risen at double the rate of breast cancer?”  (9% vs 4%) and the numbers keep rising.  Astronomical figures yet COPD isn’t even listed on Health Canada’s website until one gets to the “Public Health Agency” under Respiratory Diseases.

 

        And still we  have no national strategy.  This is no longer an “old person’s” disease.  People are developing COPD in their 30’s and 40’s.   We’re not lepers no more than those with cancer or HIV are;  yet,  in many cases, that’s how we’re treated. 

 

        Currently there’s 750,000 Canadians diagnosed with COPD and it’s believed that at least there’s 50% more who are undiagnosed.  I am one of those 750,000 sufferers who is still able to do something as simple as write to you.  Many of us can’t.  Why?

 

        COPD is a “slow to develop” respiratory disease (at least 80% of the cases are directly related to smoking) which  inflames and obstructs the airways, destroys the lungs thus restricting activity, limits breathing and causes frequent Dr’s visits, hospitalizations and death.  There is no cure.  Even those who once smoked and quit a number of years ago may still develop this disease.

 

        Mr. Prime Minister; I implore, beg, plead with you to LOOK a little deeper into this disease and the impact it’s having on ALL Canadians.  See for yourself the deplorable state of affairs in our country.  You can get a quick overview of it’s impact on our citizens  and our country and how it’s being addressed (or not) at the Canadian Lung Association’s website http://www.lung.ca/_resources/2005.copd_reportcard.pdf or COPD Canada’s site     http://www.copdcanada.ca/nationally.htm    The statistics are right there for the various provinces and our nation as a whole.

 

        After you have reviewed the information, it is my/our hope that you will then speak with your fellow members of Parliament and more specifically the Minister of Health; Tony Clement.  There are many things that can be done to reduce the mortality rates, reduce the overall financial costs and  improve the lives of those currently suffering with such a cruel disease. 

 

        Our lives are in your hands.

 

 

Respectfully Yours,

 

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