In 2009, about 14 years after she was first diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Elizabeth Gamage realized one day she couldn’t open her van door without huffing and puffing.

She became short of breath after walking any distance and even daily activities like cleaning were frustrating.

Faced with a downward spiral in both lung function and quality of life, Gamage enrolled herself in a pulmonary rehabilitation program. The program helped her regain much of her strength and it taught her how to better control her disease.

Today, the self-described “feisty” 74-year-old credits that decision and the lessons she learned in pulmonary rehabilitation for saving her life. Gamage, founder of the LincolnHealth COPD Support Group, said too many people either assume COPD is part of growing old or believe there is nothing they can do about it.

It is vital that people understand their disease and learn how they can control it, she said.

Gamage encourages anybody who has COPD, thinks they have it or is affected by the disease to attend “Breathe STRONG,” a wellness, support and educational event June 4 at the Wiscasset Community Center sponsored by LincolnHealth, the COPD Foundation and Wiscasset Parks and Recreation. The Wiscasset Community Center is at 242 Gardiner Rd. (Route 27) in Wiscasset.

The Breathe STRONG Wellness Day will feature a range of educational events, including guest speakers, testing for genetic risk factors associated with COPD, pulmonary function testing (spirometry), inhaler flow check and instruction on how to use inhalers and wellness screening, including blood pressure and oxygen check stations.

COPD is an umbrella term that describes several progressive lung diseases, including emphysema, chronic bronchitis and non-reversible asthma. COPD is the second leading cause of disability in the United States and the third leading cause of death.

About 24 million people in the United States are estimated to have the disease but about half probably don’t know it. One of the most difficult aspects of the disease is that people who suffer from COPD often become isolated and give up on many of the activities they once enjoyed.

Gamage said people need to understand that COPD is a disease that can be treated. She strongly recommends people consider enrolling in a pulmonary rehabilitation program. If that is not possible, she said there are many things people can do at home to improve their lung function.

“You have to keep moving and not give in,” said Gamage. “Take care of yourself and commit to making lifestyle changes. Eat healthily, exercise regularly and breathe mindfully,” she said.

She said people with COPD can also benefit from talking with others facing the same challenges.

The LincolnHealth COPD support group meets on the second Tuesday of every month at the LincolnHealth Education Center on School Street in Damariscotta. For more information about the Breathe STRONG event or the support group, contact LincolnHealth Respiratory Therapist Michelle Collins at 207-522-5081.