CLEARLAKE ? St. Helena Clearlake”s Pulmonary Rehabilitation department got a donation Monday from the Lakeshore Lions Club. Lions President Ron Coleman presented Program Coordinator Nancy Perrin, RT with a check for $500 to allow continued education for program instructors.
According to Coleman, the Lions made its donation to the pulmonary program at the recommendation of Lioness members Mollie Peavey and Mary Parker, both of who benefited from the services of the program.
By Perrin”s description, pulmonary rehabilitation is an art of medical practice that assists patients in managing symptoms and provides exercise training to help with endurance and pacing to optimize activities of daily living. An individually tailored, multiple-disciplinary program is formulated, which through accurate diagnosis, therapy, emotional support, exercise and education, stabilizes or reverses both the physio- and psychopathology of pulmonary disease and attempts to restore the patient to the highest possible functional capacity allowed by his or her pulmonary handicap and overall life situation.
“In other words, it is a process that includes doing an initial, thorough assessment to determine the patient”s needs and then developing an appropriate treatment program to return to the highest level of function possible,” Perrin said.
According to Perrin, who is also the president of the California Society of Pulmonary Rehabilitation and represents all cardio pulmonary programs in California, there are an estimated 30 million people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in the United States. The program at St. Helena Hospital Clearlake typically serves about 30 to 35 patients annually. Patients receive one-on-one assistance in a 12-week program.
“This is something that is really needed,” patient Betty Swatelle, 81, of Kelseyville said. “I was becoming homebound. Without this program I would not be able to do the things I enjoy.”
COPD is often the result of cigarette smoke and smoking. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and is the second leading cause of disability. Perrin said that 10 to 15 percent of the population older than 55 suffers from COPD. Patients who complete the pulmonary rehabilitation program are given the opportunity to participate in an ongoing maintenance exercise program. For more information regarding the program contact the Pulmonary Rehabilitation department at 994-4580.
The Lakeshore Lions Club supports many local programs with funds garnered through various community events. The club”s largest fundraiser, the Redbud Parade and Festival, is just around the corner. The daylong event, to be held Saturday July 4, will celebrate Independence Day with a parade, family activities, vendor faire, car show and the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce”s fireworks display at dusk.
Those who would like to support the Lions Club to assist the community can do so by participating in the July 4 event. Parade entry forms can picked up at the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, Bob”s Vacuum, Clearlake Automotive, Kevin Ness Jewelers and Ride-on! Bikes in Clearlake. Any and all arts and craft vendors interested in booths, please call Bob Kiel at 994-9752. For information for the parade call Parade Chairman John Dawes at 266-8034; and for the car show, call Kevin Ness at 994-2307. Parade entry deadline is June 26.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
