VHS Tape Ripper World Record Recognition

See Andy on youtube! Seach 'VHStaperipper' or follow the link of the left labeled 'campaign website'

"These videotapes are a thing of the past and I think that smoking, which is closely associated with COPD, should be as well" says Andy

Why is COPD an important conversation?

More than 2.4 million people in Ontario – one in five – are diagnosed with a serious lung disease including more than 870,000 with COPD. One in four people in Ontario (27.6 per cent) are likely to be diagnosed and receive medical attention for COPD in their lifetime.

COPD is one of the deadliest, costliest and most prevalent diseases in Ontario.

COPD patients are heavy users of the health-care system with much higher readmission rate than other diseases and among the longest and therefore most costly hospital stays of any illness.

While mortality rates of other chronic diseases are decreasing, deaths related to COPD are rising. COPD is expected to be the third leading cause of death by 2020.

Mr. Andy Martin, the VHSTapeRipper, is doing something about this. In 2009 Mr. Martin lost his father to COPD and is inspired to bring awareness to this disease and the Ontario Lung Association so we can change the outcome for all Ontarians through research and programs.

Mr. Martin has recently launched a YouTube channel, hoping to create “ buzz and raise awareness for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease”, which killed his father in 2009, by trying to set the first official world record for the most video cassettes ripped in half in one minute. Yes video tapes.

But he has run into a snag. Guinness World Records is refusing to recognize his bid. Well that doesn’t sit well with us or Andy. This is why we are reaching out to you today.

We need your help to help Andy and the OLA raise awareness about the effects of COPD by signing this petition asking Guinness World Records to consider adding the category acknowledging Andy’s attempt.