My grandfather died of COPD, and likely so will my Dad. He has COPD. And was diagnosed in his 50s. I am fearful of it myself, but thankfully unlike both of them I've never smoked.
It is a shot in the dark, but do you know anything off hand of having him participate in something like this in the US?
It seems like the doctors that have been performing are silos of information right now. There is not a lot published on the web of their experience as practicing doctors, some of the best on the ground info I have found is from interviews of doctors practicing.
There are also very many published MSC trials showing a benefit.
It is a terrible thing to not be able to breathe well. I hope that this can help.