Asthma and COPD Bootcamp: Take control of your breathing
By Liam Connolly
Education and support helped Roxane Wellman overcome uncontrolled asthma. It can help you too
(SACRAMENTO)
Roxane Wellman remembers standing at the back of the auditorium at the start of last year’s UC Davis Asthma Network (UCAN) Bootcamp, feeling overwhelmed and frustrated.
“It seemed like everyone else understood what the experts were saying, but I was completely lost,” she recalled.
For months, Wellman had been battling severe asthma flare-ups. Night after night, she struggled to breathe, sometimes fearing she wouldn’t make it through.
“My life was at a standstill,” she said. “It was such a long haul. It drained everything out of me.”
Despite multiple visits to her primary care physician, none of the treatments or medications seemed to help. She felt defeated.
Then her daughter told her about the UCAN Asthma and COPD Bootcamp. Wellman decided to give it a try.
Though she felt overwhelmed during the first session, something began to shift.
“I was surrounded by people who truly understood what I was going through,” she said. “The experts broke everything down in a way that made sense. For the first time, I felt like I had the tools to take control of my asthma.”
What is UCAN Bootcamp?
The UCAN Bootcamp is a free, public event designed to educate people living with asthma or COPD about effective strategies for managing chronic lung disease. It’s also a great camp for parents and caregivers of people with asthma.
The bootcamp is led by UC Davis Health pulmonologists and respiratory therapists. It features interactive workshops that teach participants how to use inhalers properly, interpret results from the Asthma Control Test and develop personalized asthma action plans.
“Asthma is a chronic condition that affects about 1 in 13 people in the United States, including both children and adults,” said Samuel Louie, professor emeritus of internal medicine and founder of UCAN. “While there is no cure, remission is within reach for many patients. That’s why the education offered at our Bootcamp is so valuable — it empowers patients to take control of their asthma and reduce the risk of flare-ups.”
Participants also gain a deeper understanding of asthma’s progression, from diagnosis to treatment. Experts introduce key medical terms like phenotype, atopy and eosinophils. This helps patients and caregivers communicate more effectively with health care providers.
The UCAN Bootcamp is made possible through a grant from Regeneron.
After the UCAN Bootcamp helped get Roxane Wellman’s asthma under control, she took a trip to Denmark.
Life after attending bootcamp
After going to the UCAN Bootcamp, Wellman used what she learned and talked to her primary care doctor.
“For the first time, I knew what to ask for. I could advocate for myself,” Wellman said.
Her doctor sent her to a lung specialist, and now her asthma is under control. She hasn’t had a flare-up since.
She’s back to riding horses and playing with her dogs. She even took a trip to Denmark to visit a friend.
“If you think you already know everything about asthma, you should still go to the UCAN Bootcamp,” Wellman said. “You’ll learn a lot and be ready to take better care of yourself.”
Register for the 2025 UCAN Bootcamp
This year's UCAN Bootcamp will be held at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing on Nov. 8. A light breakfast, lunch and parking will be provided.
