Heusden-Zolder (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Sint-Franciscus Hospital in Heusden-Zolder holds a World COPD Day cycling marathon with 52 Belgian hospitals; Marc Waters and Dr Ruud Van Puijenbroek support awareness and patient care.
As VRT News reported, patients and staff at Sint-Franciscus Hospital in Heusden-Zolder, in the province of Limburg, Belgium, are holding a cycling marathon today, Nov 19, 2025, for World COPD Day.
The event is part of a larger campaign in which 52 hospitals across Belgium compete to raise awareness about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Organisers say the campaign helps people better understand the disease and encourages support for those affected.
What are patients and staff doing at Sint-Franciscus to fight COPD?
Former professional cyclist Marc Waters visited the hospital to support participants. Waters, a former Tour de France stage winner who wore the yellow jersey, motivated patients and staff during the event.
“My grandfather had COPD, and cycling is naturally perfect for me. I didn’t hesitate to come and ride with him,”
Former cyclist Marc Wauters explains.
Patient Kris said she was very happy with the initiative and the cycling race. She added that knowing 52 hospitals are participating is a comforting thought and shows the strength of the community behind the campaign.
“There are so many people who suffer from COPD but don’t know it yet,”
she says.
“It’s great that the disease is getting more attention.”
“People don’t know the dangers of COPD.”
Jeanine, patient with COPD
Patient Jeanine says raising awareness about COPD is very important. She wants people to understand the daily struggles patients face and the seriousness of the disease.
“When I was younger, they told me to be careful with smoking, but no one knew what the consequences could be. If I’d known, I would have quit sooner.”
Pulmonologist Ruud Van Puijenbroek stresses the need for early detection of COPD. He explains that many patients have smoked for years before symptoms appear, causing irreversible lung damage by diagnosis.
“One of the most important treatment methods for COPD is ensuring you’re physically fit. That’s why we encourage patients to participate in cycling,”
explains Dr Van Puijenbroek.
The hospital combines awareness with care by introducing a new breathing technique. This method helps patients manage breathing difficulties and improve lung function.
“With this respiratory physiotherapy, patients learn to better control their breathing. We also teach patients to breathe correctly, as incorrect breathing can lead to shortness of breath and difficulty breathing,”
they say.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, is a long-term lung disease often caused by smoking. The condition damages the lungs permanently and makes breathing difficult. Patients may develop chronic bronchitis, which inflames the airways and causes persistent coughing and shortness of breath. COPD can also involve emphysema, where the tiny air sacs in the lungs are destroyed, making it hard to exhale and reducing oxygen flow to the body.
The disease worsens over time, affecting daily activities. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms, improving lung function, and helping patients stay active.
World COPD Day takes place every year on the 3rd Wednesday of November. It started in 2002 by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease and the World Health Organisation. The day raises awareness about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and encourages prevention and early diagnosis.
In Belgium, hospitals have organised events since the early 2010s. Sint-Franciscus Hospital in Heusden-Zolder has joined the campaign with activities like cycling marathons. Recent events in 2023 and 2024 included workshops and visits by former professional cyclists to support patients and promote public attention to COPD.
Brussels Morning is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.
