Blog

What Is the Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center Network?

This blog post was authored by Lucinda Shore and reviewed by the Bronchiectasis and NTM Content Review and Evaluation Committee.As bronchiectasis and nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease become more common in the U.S., getting a quick, accurate diagnosis and expert care is very important. To help meet this need, the Bronchiectasis and NTM Association created the Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center Network (CCN).The CCN connects people to medical centers throughout the U.S. that provide expert care and treatment, high-quality education, advice, and support for those living with bronchiectasis and NTM lung disease. The CCN gives sites one of two designations:Care Center: These centers offer a clinical research program, treat hundreds of people with bronchiectasis and NTM, and provide direct access to specialists (like dietitians or psychologists) for immediate care.Clinical Associate Center (CAC): CACs provide high-quality, expert care, but may see fewer people with both conditions, may be less involved in research, and may not have access to specialists within the center.

Press Release

Bronchiectasis and NTM Association announces Externally-Led Patient-Focused Drug Development meeting for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis

The Bronchiectasis and NTM Association today announced plans for an Externally-Led Patient-Focused Drug Development (EL-PFDD) meeting for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB). This meeting is modeled after the Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) PFDD public meetings. Drug developers, FDA, and other stakeholders will be in attendance.NCFB is a chronic lung disease characterized by inflammation and chronic infection in which the airways become abnormally widened, thickened, and/or scarred. Once considered rare, NCFB is now recognized more widely as awareness, research, and advances in imaging have improved understanding of the disease. Although the first FDA-approved treatment for NCFB became available in 2025, significant challenges remain. Many people still face delays in diagnosis, limited access to specialized care, and difficulties managing the disease’s daily impact.The NCFB EL-PFDD meeting will:Enhance understanding of how living with NCFB impacts daily life experiences;Capture diverse perspectives of the NCFB community to help foster timely and effective therapy development; andInform regulatory decision-making with insights on current care and treatment benefit needs.

Discussion

Love Your Lungs Day

💙🫁 LOVE YOUR LUNGS DAY! 🫁💙Today is a reminder to celebrate our lungs and give them the care, attention, and love they deserve!For those of us living with Bronchiectasis and NTM, loving our lungs can take a little extra effort. We know that every airway clearance session, every treatment, and every step forward can make a difference. A FEW WAYS TO SHOW YOUR LUNGS SOME LOVE!🫁 1. Make airway clearance a priority. Follow your prescribed routine to help clear mucus and support your lung health.🚶 2. Keep moving! Whether it’s walking, stretching, yoga, hiking, or pulmonary rehabilitation, choose activities that work for your abilities and energy level.💧 3. Stay hydrated. Drinking enough fluids, if medically appropriate, may help keep mucus easier to clear.🌿 4. Protect your breathing environment. Pay attention to air quality, smoke, dust, allergens, mold, and other irritants that may affect your lungs.👩‍⚕️ 5. Work with your healthcare team. Keep up with recommended appointments, discuss changes in your symptoms, and ask questions about your treatment plan.💙  Living with a chronic lung condition can be physically and emotionally exhausting at times. Some days, loving your lungs means doing your airway clearance. Other days, it means resting, asking for help, or simply celebrating the fact that you know that you can make it through a challenging day.✨ You are more than your diagnosis. Your efforts matter. And every step you take to care for yourself counts!The city of Phoenix declared October 18 "Love Your Lungs Day" at the request of the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) in honor of the CHEST 2026 annual meeting.What is ONE thing you do to take care of your lungs—or one thing that helps you stay positive on the challenging days?Let’s fill our BNTM community with encouragement, inspiration, and a whole lot of love for our lungs. 💙 Happy Love Your Lungs Day!