A woman from Dover who was diagnosed with lung disease has been raising awareness for World COPD Day on Wednesday.

Lizzi Stephens, of Folkestone Road, was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease two years ago.

She will be supporting the British Lung Foundation’s campaign Living with COPD by posting photos of the things she still loves doing to raise awareness of the importance of self-management.

She said: “While my lung health will never improve – COPD is always progressive – I don’t let it get me down and it’s spurred me on to live my life to the fullest. I’m now even involved in ‘singing for breathing’ sessions, and have become an active member of the Breathe Easy Dover group.

“People need to understand that having this condition doesn’t mean losing your ability to do the things you love. It’s all about managing the condition properly and taking each day as it comes.”

COPD incorporates the conditions previously known as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It kills 30,000 a year in the UK – more than any type of cancer other than lung cancer.

At the age of 52, she was told she only had 50 percent lung function and has been affected by breathlessness for decades.

She is part of the British Lung Foundation support group, Breathe Easy Dover and leads a singing group.

This World COPD Day the charity is launching its first nationally available COPD Patient Passport, a guide to help people affected by COPD.

People can follow and share their photos on Twitter by using the hashtag #LiveCOPD. They can also text ‘COPD’ to 70500 to donate £5 to help the BLF fight the growing impact of COPD on the UK’s health.

Breathe Easy Dover meets Friday, November 21 and Friday, December 19, 2-4pm at the Triangles Community Centre, Poultons Close, CT17 0HL and from January 8 they will be every 2nd Friday of the month, 2-4pm at Whitfield Village Hall, Sandwich Road, Whitfield, CT16 3LY.

For more information email lizzistephens@btinternet.com.