What does COPD-Support, Inc. do for you?  More importantly, what can it do for others and are you interested in helping spread the word?  Our Corporation provides the communications, management and administration so that all individuals who have the need can have the benefit of education concerning our affliction through free subscription to the Family of COPD Support Programs.  COPD-Support, Inc. finds its roots in early 1997 when a handful of individuals began the COPD/Emphesema Online Support Group. By it's first anniversary it had grown to 267 subscribers.  By late 1999, the number of subscribers had grown to almost 1,000 and prompted the formation of the Corporation on January 1, 2000.  In January 2001, we had over 1,800 different individuals subscribed to our many programs not counting the countless others who visit our web site, use our scheduled chats, or communicate on our forum. Is it helping?  The real satisfaction of being in the middle of all this are the daily testimonials from subscribers who have found a family atmosphere of sharing information, tips and support.  You might say it is the silver lining that surrounds the dark cloud of our affliction.  Should you join us?  If the answer to any of the questions below is yes, then you probably should join us. Should you wish to help us plan ways and means to publicize our program so that all who need it may take advantage of them. Should you wish to help provide some leadership for our various programs Should you feel that it is an obligation to support financially a program which provides so much Should you wish a voice in the policies and programs of the "rule makers" Should you wish to have a voting privilege in our activities, programs and policies Membership in COPD-Support, Inc. was opened on January 1, 2001.  Since our Corporation is designated as a non profit organization 501(c)(3), the membership dues can be tax exempt. In addition, all funds collected for the Corporation are used to defray the expenses of the Corporation.  There are no paid staff so the administrative expenditures are negligible.  The categories of membership are as follows: Type of Membership Annual Dues Explanation of Membership Type   Regular/Family Membership $25 Individuals afflicted with COPD or caregivers for those who have COPD. Professional Membership $50 Medical personnel who are neither afflicted with nor personal caregivers for persons with COPD.  This is a non-voting membership Corporate Membership $100 Individuals who represent any company that supplies medication, equipment, material or services and who is not themselves afflicted with COPD.  This is a non-voting membership. How do you join?  Send your check or money order made out to COPD-Support, Inc. along with your postal mail address to our Corporate mailing address at: COPD-Support, Inc. c/o Janice L. Reynolds 85 Main St Windham, ME 04062/b> For your convenience we have established an account with Pay Pal for donations, sponsorships or memorial gifts to the organization. Just click on the Pay Pal Logo. You need not be a member to subscribe to our programs.  In addition, if you should wish to participate in providing the programs but can not afford the dues, you may ask for a courtesy membership and the dues will be waived.  The reason that we must ask you to make this request in writing is for the purpose of audit.  We need to show why we have more members than dues. Please refer any questions to the Corporation Office or email management at Management@copd-support.com If your browser's Back Arrow does not return you to the correct page, you can always get to the COPD-Support Home page: http://www.copd-support.com .   Copyright © 1999-2010  COPD-Support, Inc  All Rights Reserved Contact:  Management       .