copd-support

What copd-support does

COPD-Support, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation registered in Florida that operates an online peer-support community for individuals affected by Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Founded in January 1997 by Paul Marks with 5-6 initial subscribers, the organization runs a family of five interconnected email mailing lists (COPD-SUPPORT as the entry-level list, COPD as the original moderated list, COPD-MOD for filtered health content, COPD-CAREGIVERS for family caregivers, and COPD-NEWS for the monthly newsletter) hosted on LSOFT International's ListServ platform. The platform is augmented by a web-based chatroom with scheduled sessions on chatspace.com, buddy group emergency contact pairings, a 60-day structured SmokeNoMore smoking cessation program with team leaders, member-contributed websites, and a directory of curated links. With over 1,200 subscribers across the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe, the community addresses the unmet needs of COPD patients and caregivers by enabling experience sharing around treatments, medications, and quality of life in a disease with no cure.

The organization is governed by a volunteer board led by President Bill Powell and Vice President Elaine Rester, both of whom took over from founder Paul Marks in late 1999. All management and staff are unpaid volunteers who contribute their time, labor, and computer equipment. The website (copd-support.com) and a Boardhost-hosted COPD Forum serve as the digital front door, while email remains the primary engagement mechanism. The value proposition rests on first-person patient and caregiver perspective rather than professional medical input, with explicit disclaimers encouraging members to base medical decisions on licensed practitioners.

Revenue is generated entirely through voluntary member donations, memorial gifts, low-volume merchandise sales (a COPD Cookbook 2000 at $19.95, branded mouse pads at $10.00, and coffee cups at $12.00 processed via PayPal or check), and minor affiliate referral income from Amazon.com and iGive.com. Subscription is free, and new members are asked not to contribute financially until they have at least 45 days of membership to evaluate the service. The organization subscribes to HONcode principles of the Health On the Net Foundation, signaling ethical health information practices. No investors, funding rounds, or commercial revenue contracts are evidenced.

Name

copd-support

Legal name

COPD-Support, Inc.

Website

https://copd-support.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Short description

COPD-Support, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Florida-registered nonprofit that runs a volunteer-led online support community for COPD patients, caregivers, and medical professionals across 1,200+ subscribers in multiple countries, delivered through email mailing lists, a chatroom, buddy groups, and a smoking cessation program funded by voluntary donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Chronic Disease Patient Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

COPD & Chronic Bronchitis Management (HLAKANAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programs (HLAKANAL)

Keywords

• Online patient support
• COPD mailing lists
• Smoking cessation program
• Caregiver support community
• Chronic disease education

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Lauderdale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Voluntary Donations and Sponsorships: There is no charge for subscription. The organization operates on voluntary contributions from subscribers. New subscribers are encouraged not to sponsor until they have at least 45 days with the organization to determine if the subscription provides lasting support. Contributions are used to defray costs of running programs.
2. Merchandise Sales: Sale of specialty items including COPD Cookbook 2000 ($19.95), COPD-Support Mouse Pad ($10.00), and COPD-Support Coffee Cup ($12.00). Sales processed through PayPal or check payments.
3. Affiliate/Referral Revenue: The organization participates in affiliate programs with Amazon.com and iGive.com, receiving a percentage of purchases made by subscribers through these referral links.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

COPD-Support operates a family of online support programs for individuals affected by Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), their caregivers, and medical professionals. Core services are delivered through multiple interconnected email mailing lists (COPD-SUPPORT, COPD, COPD-MOD, COPD-CAREGIVERS), supplemented by a monthly email newsletter, a scheduled chatroom, buddy support groups, and the SmokeNoMore smoking cessation program. All services are provided free of charge and supported by voluntary donations under 501(c)(3) non-profit status.

Product overview

COPD-Support operates a family of online support programs primarily delivered through email mailing lists. The core offering consists of multiple linked mailing lists (COPD-SUPPORT as entry level, COPD as the original moderated list, COPD-MOD for filtered health content, and COPD-CAREGIVERS for caregivers). Additional programs include the SmokeNoMore smoking cessation program, buddy groups for emergency contacts, a chatroom with scheduled sessions, and a monthly newsletter. The organization also sells merchandise including a COPD Cookbook, mouse pads, and coffee cups. All programs are managed by volunteers and supported by voluntary contributions, with the organization maintaining 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SmokeNoMore Program: A 60-day smoking cessation support program that provides daily email contact, team support, and encouragement for individuals who wish to stop smoking.
• COPD-NEWS Newsletter
• Buddy Groups
• COPD Cookbook 2000

Products and services

• COPD Online Support Mailing List Email-based support community with multiple interconnected mailing lists (COPD-SUPPORT as entry level, COPD as the original moderated list, COPD-MOD for filtered health content) connecting patients, caregivers, and medical professionals worldwide. Distributes email to over 1,200 subscribers in various countries and cultures.
• COPD-CAREGIVERS Mailing List Dedicated mailing list for caregivers of individuals with COPD, providing support, resources, and peer connection for those responsible for caring for someone afflicted with the disease. May be joined separately or in conjunction with other programs.
• SmokeNoMore Program Smoking cessation support program pairing participants with small teams and team leaders for a structured 60-day quit program with daily email contact, progressing to graduated maintenance groups for ongoing support. COPD patients and caregivers may be prioritized due to limited spaces.
• COPD Support Newsletter (COPD-NEWS) Monthly email newsletter providing concise summaries of current COPD information, research developments, new medicines, and content from list discussions.
• Buddy Groups Emergency contact lists pairing members for mutual support, check-ins, and peer connection when needed.
• Chatroom Real-time online chat platform with scheduled chat sessions for members to interact, available to all members regardless of which mailing list they subscribe to.
• COPD Cookbook 2000 Collection of over 200 original recipes by subscribers, sold for $19.95 with free shipping to USA addresses.

Quantifiable outcome

• Members can remain in the SmokeNoMore quit smoking program for as long as desired after the initial 60-day structured program
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LSOFT InternationalcoreTechnology or Integration · 17 January 1997LSOFT International provides the mailing list hosting services for COPD-Support's email lists. The organization moved from a free mailing list provider to LSOFT's commercial service in May 1997 due to growth. This partnership enables the delivery of multiple interconnected email lists to subscribers worldwide.
• Amazon.comminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCOPD-Support participates in Amazon.com's affiliate program, receiving referral fees when members purchase books and products through their links. The site promotes recommended books about COPD, breathing exercises, and related topics through Amazon links.
• iGive.comminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCOPD-Support participates in the iGive.com shopping network, receiving a percentage of purchases made by supporters who shop through their referral link.
• SPAM Recycling CenterminorOthersCOPD-Support supports the SPAM Recycling Center's anti-spam activities. The organization recommends that members check out this site and recycle spam sent to their private email boxes as part of their quality of life protection efforts.
• Alpha-1 International Support Mailing ListcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple pulmonary support mailing lists have pledged mutual support for cross-posting policies to protect member privacy. Partner lists include Alpha-1 International, Alpha-Liver, Alpha-1 Support System, Second Wind Lung Transplant Association, and COPD-Support's Family of Programs.
• Second Wind Lung Transplant Association Mailing ListcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs part of the cross-posting policy coalition, Second Wind Lung Transplant Association coordinates with COPD-Support on privacy protection policies for shared member base of lung disease patients.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about copd-support