In 2023, with the support of an incredible team, Dr. Ruth Barker and Russell Winwood (the COPD Athlete) launched The COPD Baton Pass, a 24-hour live broadcast for World COPD Day. This ambitious initiative established a platform to raise awareness of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
In 2024, Ruth and Russell returned with renewed focus, determined to build on their initial success and cement The COPD Baton Pass as a must-watch event for World COPD Day. By reflecting on lessons learned and making significant improvements, this year’s event showcased exciting advancements and achieved meaningful impact.
Major Enhancements
One of the most transformative updates for 2024 was the strategic use of donations. Ruth and Russell used these funds to secure expert support, including the development of a professionally designed webpage (https://copdbatonpass.org/). This not only improved accessibility but also created an intuitive user experience that encouraged global engagement. As a result, the event saw the live viewership double compared to 2023 and a notable spike in social media interactions, with our hashtag trending on X.
The most notable enhancement, however, was a new partnership with Southampton Solent University. With minimal preparation time, the university’s team adapted swiftly to host the event at their sports complex. The collaboration was led by Dr. Stuart Joy and Lee Davison, with essential contributions from technical instructors Ian Williamson, Jeff Chapman, and Richard Hammond.
Students from the BA (Hons) Film and Television, BA (Hons) Television Production and BSc (Hons) Live Event Technology courses played a pivotal role, taking charge of technical setups, live operations, and online engagement. Spencer Bedder, one of the students, reflected:
“The COPD Baton Pass was such an inspiring event to be part of. It showed me how film and media can make a real difference in raising awareness for important health issues like COPD. Working with different departments and seeing the impact of our efforts on the community was a truly rewarding experience.”
Their work demonstrated how academic partnerships can create opportunities for students to develop industry-ready skills while delivering professional-quality outcomes.
Amplifying Patient Voices
One of the most meaningful advancements in 2024 was the increased presence of patient voices. Ruth and Russell prioritised showcasing the stories and insights of individuals living with COPD, emphasising the importance of lived experiences in driving awareness.
Particularly poignant moments came during interviews with Grace Anne Dorney Koppel and Helen Kulas, COPD patients who shared how being active and pulmonary rehabilitation have transformed their lives. Their stories resonated with audiences, sparking supportive comments and emails inspiring others to seek out more information. This focus on patient narratives strengthened the event’s connection to its core mission: to raise the awareness of the important of being active when living with COPD to empower individuals and communities.
Community and Global Reach
The event’s global reach expanded significantly in 2024. With the professionally designed webpage and enhanced social media strategy, The COPD Baton Pass reached audiences in over 40 countries, including the UK, Australia, and the United States. Growing partnerships with global patient organisations, charities and respiratory societies, Ruth and Russell have further extended its impact, engaging healthcare professionals and patients alike, which was recognised by one of contributing sites from the 2024 event:
“The Pulmonary Rehab Program at Trillium Health Partners is truly honoured to be a part of this and to know many conversations around COPD and PR are taking place around the world is remarkable.”
Audience engagement was another highlight, with interactive features such as the social media step challenge encouraged active participation. Viewers praised the event’s inclusivity, with one participant commenting:
“We were so excited to be involved”.
Momentum for 2025
With two successful years under their belt, Ruth and Russell are already laying the groundwork for 2025. Building on their partnerships and the momentum generated this year, they envision another step forward for The COPD Baton Pass.
The 2025 event aims to expand its content offerings, with plans for more in-depth expert panels, real-time demonstrations of novel treatments, and interactive challenges designed to educate and inspire. Additionally, Ruth and Russell plan to further amplify the patient voice by hosting live storytelling segments, where individuals can share their journeys in real-time.
This evolution is fuelled by a commitment to making The COPD Baton Pass more than an event—it is becoming a movement to foster awareness, education, and community collaboration.
Join us in 2025
Join us in celebrating the achievements of 2024 while looking forward to an even brighter future. Support The COPD Baton Pass as it continues to grow and impact lives around the world. Stay updated on our plans for 2025 by looking at our webpage and discover how you can contribute to raising awareness and empowering patients.
Authors: Ruth Barker, Russell Winwood and Stuart Joy
This really helped me move more! Thank you Russell for highlighting this, you are an inspiration.
Fantastic to hear – we hope you are part of our 2025 event as well, Ruth