Gary Bain's precepts for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patient groups.

Our colleagues from Emphysema Foundation for Our Right to Survive (EFFORTS), whose article is published in this issue of the International COPD Coalition (ICC) Column, are part of one of the most active and successful of all the US COPD patient groups (1). They truly involve COPD patients and their families in their educational and advocacy efforts. They have continuously had thousands of COPD patients actively participating in their group since the 1980s. Their article modestly puts forward their programs and goals.