Birmingham nonprofit launches national push to stop the silent gas killer
NCOAA pairs a monthly education campaign with a donation-matching drive to address undetected leaks that cause years of misdiagnosis.
By Marina Weber ·
The National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Association is spending November fundraising and teaching the public about a gas that kills without warning. The Birmingham-based nonprofit is running a nationwide campaign during Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month. The effort includes a donation matching program that runs through the end of the month.
Charon McNabb founded the group after surviving a poisoning in her own home. She moved into a property in West Bloomfield that she called her dream home. A home inspector missed four periodic leaks in the structure. The household contained only one carbon monoxide monitor, which failed to detect the gas in the large space. McNabb and her family suffered symptoms for years before receiving the correct diagnosis.
McNabb said the failure of standard safety mechanisms led her to create the organization. She used her background in new technology to work with professionals on improving training and building codes. The goal is to close gaps in the safety net so other families do not face the same health issues.
Kevin Singer, the executive director, describes carbon monoxide as the silent killer. He notes that the gas is odorless, tasteless, and invisible. Singer says prevention is the primary defense against the threat. The organization is distributing a 2026 toolkit to help people promote awareness. The toolkit is available at ncoaa.us/co-awareness-month-2026.
The campaign organizes the month into five themed weeks. The first week from Nov. 1 to 7 focuses on starting safe. The period from Nov. 8 to 14 addresses growing up protected. The week of Nov. 15 to 21 covers everyday protection. The final two weeks focus on protecting older adults and protection at every stage of life. McNabb explained that different life stages involve specific risk factors and health vulnerabilities.
Donations made to the nonprofit between Nov. 1 and Nov. 30 will be matched. The group accepts credit card payments, planned gifts, and checks. Individuals can contact lcrain@ncoaa.us to discuss other donation methods. The organization also offers a newsletter signup on its website.
Singer urged homeowners to install alarms immediately if they do not have one. He stated that getting a detector now is the most direct way to prevent exposure. The nonprofit will continue its education efforts throughout the month to reach a global audience.
