About PEP

Facts About COPD
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) estimates that 12 million adults have COPD, and another 12 million are un-diagnosed or developing COPD.  COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S., accounting for 127,924 deaths in 2007 (over 3 times as many people as breast cancer!). COPD kills more women than men each year.  At current rates COPD will be the third leading cause of death in the U.S. by 2020.  A person with COPD dies every four minutes in the U.S. COPD cost the U.S. economy $32.1 billion, in direct and indirect costs in 2002.

COPD has a severely limiting affect on quality of life.  People can live weeks without food, days without water but only minutes without oxygen.  The oxygen assisted exercise maintenance provided by PEP contributes greatly to the quality of life of those afflicted.  Quite simply, we need more funds to help more people.

PEP Pioneers are an independent group of graduates of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program at Little Company of Mary Hospital that are dependent on private donations and fundraisers to finance events and purchase equipment that benefit all of their members. Donations may be sent to the PEP Pioneers, attn: Pulmonary Rehab, 20929 Hawthorne Blvd.,Torrance, CA 90503.

PEP Pioneers was organized in February 1978, as a non-profit organization to provide ongoing support for graduates of the Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center (PLCMMC) pulmonary rehabilitation program. The organization provides a channel of communication between members, the medical center, and the general public.

PEP Pioneers afford an opportunity for members, their family members and caregivers to meet for fellowship, luncheons, respiratory information, and pulmonary maintenance and exercise.  It also assists by purchasing useful pulmonary equipment, and by making charitable donations to other worthwhile causes.  Today we are lacking the necessary equipment to maintain and support our growing community.