After several months of work, intense collaboration with researchers and scientists, and some significant rewriting, I am thrilled to announce the publication of the official COPD 2009 Report!

Many of you will remember that I was hired to cover the 2009 COPD Conference, held back in February, in Vancouver. The event consisted of two full days of speakers from around the world, presenting their research on every conceivable scientific aspect of COPD -- from treatment, genetics, environmental factors, airway remodeling and more -- and was an intense, eye-opening event, for many reasons. 

The conference also included an enlightening public forum hosted by the BC Lung Association and a lovely tribute dinner to Dr. Jim Hogg, whose research excellence has created a lasting legacy for BC. All in all, it was a very full three days.

The report has something in it for everyone -- there are write-ups on each of the presentations, some highlights from the Public Forum, interesting facts on COPD, and lots of great event photos. I'd love to hear your feedback -- click here to read the report now. 

I'd like to extend a special thank you to my superstar designer Justine Bond for her brilliant design, endless patience with revisions, and support in publishing this report. Not only did she conceive the layout for the entire publication from scratch, she also served as an editor, a source of copy ideas, and all-around cheerleader. I couldn't have done it without her help.

Also, a shout-out to Jennifer Myers, for agreeing to help us out at the last minute, and her great event photos.

This entire process -- from event to the final publication of this report -- has been a great experience. I learned a lot, and met some great people in the process.

I look forward to hearing what you think -- feel free to let me know in the Comments section below.

Click here to read the COPD 2009 Report now.