A new group for people who are experiencing COPD or are supporting a family relative with the condition is due to open next month in Roscommon.
COPD is a chronic condition which affects people's ability to breathe and can cause significant health challenges.
A new support group will meet in Roscommon on Thursday 6th October from 10am to 11am in the Education Room of the Sacred Heart Hospital & Care Home.
Tim McDonnell is head of COPD Ireland.
He says the disease is very common in Ireland:
"COPD is the commonest cause of emergency admissions to our hospitals. We have the highest rate of the OECD hospital admissions with COPD and to make it more local, the highest rate of admissions with COPD in the country is in Westmeath and Offaly. Longford and Roscommon are not too far behind. So this is a very common disorder. Unfortunately 1,500 people a year die with this disorder."
