NEW YORK, Nov. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Marking World
COPD Day (November 18th),
Royal Philips (NYSE:PHG, AEX:
PHIA) today unveiled the Philips Breathless
Choir. The event brought together a group of 18
people in New York for whom
breathing is a constant challenge, and documented their journey
through a series of films, as they conquered their fears and defied
everyone's expectations by undertaking the impossible: learning to
sing.
Celebrity choirmaster, Gareth
Malone, led the group, each of whom is living with a chronic
respiratory condition, and many have COPD. Gareth is renowned for
turning unlikely people into singers, and following five days of
intensive training with him the Breathless Choir was formed. The
choir's transformation culminated in a private
performance at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem,
New York, which the health
technology company Philips had rented to surprise the
choir.
The choir sang the classic song 'Every Breath You Take' in front
of their emotional family and friends.
Choir member, Evelin
Alvarez-Flores, living with COPD said, "In school I loved
to sing and I was actually president of my high school choir!
Growing up music was always such a big part of my life, but when I
was diagnosed with COPD I lost all belief in myself and in my
musical abilities. I really thought I'd never sing again."
Ms. Alvarez-Flores continued, "Being part of the Breathless
Choir has been phenomenal and it has completely changed my
perspective. It has given me back my confidence and not just with
singing - it has taught me that I can expect more from myself, and
I now know that I am capable of much more. It has been an
incredible experience and one I will always treasure."
Gareth Malone, celebrity
choirmaster, said, "All through history, people have sung
and made music. Because it makes you feel better about yourself. It
makes you feel better about your fellow man. It comforts, it
consoles, it amuses, and it's so simple; it's just you and your
voice, and your breath. I am no doctor but I see the impact music
has made on these people's lives. And I see how much good singing
has done in their souls and I think a little bit in their bodies as
well."
Philips believes there is always a way to make life better, and
it was this kind of thinking that led Philips to develop the
SimplyGo Mini, a portable oxygen concentrator (POC), which empowers
patients who struggle with respiratory conditions to continue
living full, active lives. SimplyGo Mini with its lightweight
design provides nearly 20 percent more oxygen output than any POC
weighing five pounds or less. It offers an attractive and sleek
design, as well as a strong, comfortable carrying case, appealing
to today's engaged and active patients. Each member of the choir
was provided with the Philips Respironics SimplyGo Mini.
Richard Wergan, Global EVP and Head of Brand at Philips said,
"It is with great pride that we today reveal the Breathless
Choir to the world. We have all been inspired by the choir, and
what they collectively managed to accomplish in such a short space
of time is truly remarkable."
Mr. Wergan continued, "The formation of the choir is a great
example of how meaningful innovation can actually improve people's
lives. The Breathless Choir has had a profound effect on everyone
involved, and it has radically improved their lives. We hope that
it will also help to raise awareness and understanding of COPD and
other chronic respiratory conditions, so that patients around the
world can lead a healthier and more active life."
Globally respiratory conditions are on the rise and the cost is
staggering. [1] Lung diseases now account for 7 percent of deaths
worldwide. The global cost of COPD alone will rise from
$2.1 trillion in 2010 to $4.8 trillion by 2030, when it will become the
third-leading cause of death worldwide, behind heart disease and
strokes.
The Breathless Choir films illustrate how none of the
participants can be defined by their illnesses because what shines
through is their determination to share their story of strength and
hope in song. By launching today on World COPD day, the
series of films aim to help support the Global Initiative for
Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) to improve awareness and
care of COPD around the world.
Learn more about the Breathless Choir at
philips.to/breathless-choir. To tweet/post or get updates on the
Breathless Choir please use/check #BreathlessChoir
To get more information about Philips respiratory innovations
please go to www.philips.com/copd
For further information, please contact:
Kathy O'Reilly
Philips Group Communications
Tel.: (o) 978-659-2638 (m) 978-221-8919
Email: Kathy.oreilly@philips.com
Twitter: @kathyoreilly
Silvie Casanova
Philips North America
Tel.: (o) 978-659-7467 (m) 781-879-0692
Email: silvie.casanova@philips.com
About Royal
Philips
Royal Philips
(NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a diversified health and well-being
company, focused on improving people's lives through meaningful
innovation in the areas of Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and
Lighting. Headquartered in the
Netherlands, Philips posted 2014 sales of EUR 21.4 billion and employs approximately
108,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100
countries. The company is a leader in cardiac care, acute care and
home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new
lighting applications, as well as male shaving and grooming and
oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at
www.philips.com/newscenter.
[1] World Economic Forum/Harvard Report 'The Global Economic
Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases'
http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Harvard_HE_GlobalEconomicBurdenNonCommunicableDiseases_2011.pdf
Logo -
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140122/NE50581LOGO
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/philips-breathless-choir-enables-people-living-with-chronic-respiratory-conditions-to-fulfill-a-lifelong-dream-of-singing-300180673.html
SOURCE Royal Philips