Herb Yardley (Herb Yardley / Courtesy)

If you’ve never given a second thought to the phrase, “when you have your health, you have everything,” you have never experienced a serious health episode yourself nor has someone you are close to.

Unfortunately for most of us, we have seen what a serious disease can do to a loved one. For me, it was my wife, Catherine. When she was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), we didn’t know where to turn. While treatment can help provide a better quality of life, there is no cure for the condition. COPD is an umbrella term to describe chronic inflammatory lung diseases that can cause obstructed airflow from the lungs, making it extremely difficult to breathe. COPD is very common, with more than 3 million cases in the U.S. annually. Because COPD is the third leading cause of death (according to the American Lung Association) and is an unknown and undertreated disease, research is critical to positive outcomes.

Damage to the lungs, caused by COPD, is irreversible and can be devastating. For Catherine, it was. She passed away in 2018. Watching her struggle to breathe was difficult for our entire family. During Catherine’s battle with the illness, we realized there were few resources and specialists available to her in South Florida. I am blessed to be in a position to help.

While it was too late to save my Catherine, it is not too late to save others. Through the establishment of the Catherine Yardley Pulmonary Center of Excellence at Holy Cross Health, the nonprofit hospital will conduct comprehensive research, advance clinically effective treatments of COPD and other lung diseases, spark the creation of a new lab focused on research and education, and allow for a number of enhancements to already established bronchoscopy labs. This state-of-the-art center offers high quality, leading-edge services for those suffering from lung related illnesses, including COPD.

Our family’s goal is to expand awareness of COPD and ensure the South Florida community has access to innovative, affordable and effective treatment, in the hopes that other families will not have to suffer the way we have.

I joined the national board of directors of the COPD Foundation and created a line of communication between Holy Cross Health and the COPD Foundation that will be invaluable to our local community. This affiliation will allow for a seamless integration of research, technology and resources that did not previously exist.

I know we will have a wide-reaching impact not only regionally but also throughout the country. As a member of Trinity Health, a national Catholic health system, Holy Cross Health will share research, treatments and data that will lead to positive outcomes for patients nationwide.

Certainly, during the last two years, we have all come to appreciate how precious life is and how valuable our healthcare system is. I personally thank the health care heroes who meet the needs of patients each and every day. I honor them in memory of my beloved wife, Catherine.

Herb Yardley owns Massey Yardley Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Plantation. He can be reached at 954-327-4000.