Posted on June 28, 2024 |
This text was written by Tara Shedor, MA.
The COPD Basis just lately spoke with Maddox, a highschool senior from Cedar Rapids, IA who races his FWD 4-cylinder Hornet at Hawkeye Downs Speedway. Maddox has added the COPD Basis emblem to his automotive and has turn into a model ambassador for the COPD Basis. Learn on to study extra about Maddox and his ardour to unfold consciousness of COPD.
Maddox stands subsequent to his automotive with COPD Basis emblem
How lengthy have you ever been racing and the way did you become involved?
That is my second 12 months racing, and my first with a full schedule. Final 12 months I took half in numerous occasions, however this 12 months it is extra structured. I’ve all the time been round vehicles since my dad’s a mechanic and my uncles raced. Final 12 months, my uncle had a spare automotive that he was prepared to promote to me in order that I might begin racing with my very own automotive.
How lengthy are the races, and the way typically do you race?
Proper now, I am racing weekly. I run a warmth race which is about 8 laps and a function which is 15 laps. I additionally do some one-off occasions the place it is 200 laps or what they name “enduro races.”
What impressed you to boost consciousness for COPD?
There was a man who labored for my dad named Harold Walton. I used to be near him; he was extra like household than simply my dad’s work buddy. He all the time got here round, and we talked so much. Sadly, he handed away, and that basically affected me. We had a memorial for him on my automotive and it sparked the concept of elevating consciousness about COPD.
Do you know that he had well being issues earlier than he handed?
Yeah, Harold was a smoker and had a pacemaker. He will need to have come down with one thing earlier than he handed as a result of I used to be planning to have breakfast with him one morning and he canceled. He mentioned he wasn’t feeling effectively and that we might go when he felt higher. Sadly, we by no means received to try this. I nonetheless have the final textual content message he despatched me.
How do you imagine that race automotive driving can function a platform to boost consciousness?
Actually, I really feel like several platform can be utilized successfully to boost consciousness, relying on how you utilize it. Many athletes use their platforms to spotlight necessary causes. For instance, NASCAR driver Joey Gase raises consciousness about organ donation. Earlier than this private expertise, I hadn’t heard a lot about COPD. Now, I hope to boost consciousness and see how far we are able to go together with it, making it an even bigger trigger.
What do you assume the typical race automotive attendee is aware of about COPD?
I would say they most likely do not know so much. It isn’t a extensively mentioned subject, so many individuals might not be conscious of it.
What sort of message do you hope to get throughout to individuals that do not learn about COPD?
I hope to boost consciousness and let individuals know that COPD is a matter that many are coping with. We’re one large nation, and we have to help one another and work collectively. If somebody is on the market fighting COPD, we must be doing our greatest to help them and advance analysis to assist these affected and their households.
Our thanks go to Maddox for his dedication to elevating consciousness about COPD. Should you stay within the Cedar Rapids space and wish to catch Maddox at a race, yow will discover him racing on the Hawkeye Downs racetrack. You may as well observe him on Facebook and Instagram.
The COPD Basis is dedicated to analysis aimed toward discovering a remedy for COPD and offering help and sources for sufferers and their households. To donate, go to https://copdf.co/give.
