PH patient, Debbie Crandall discusses the power of positivity, why pulmonary hypertension awareness is so important and why she is an eternal optimist.
I'm Aware That I'm Rare: Bill O'Donnell
Boston native, Bill O'Donnell discusses the 15+ year journey his daughter Shannon has had with pulmonary hypertension. Bill shares his thoughts on the role of a being a pediatric caregiver and how battling PH is like running a marathon. Please also take a moment to read the letter he gave Shannon on her 15 year diagnosis anniversary (Bonus Content).
I'm Aware That I'm Rare: Betty Lou Wojciechowski
Betty Lou “Wojo” is a retired school teacher who lost her husband Jerry and two children (Michael and Matthew) to Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), a rare blood vessel disorder that affects people of all ages and causes high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs that can lead to heart failure. Betty Lou discusses how she turned her sorrow into strength and why the Wojo family has established PH research grants in Jerry, Michael and Matthew’s names.
I'm Aware That I'm Rare: Kathleen Sheffer
For former PH patient, Kathleen Sheffer, writing has become a tool for her to process her heart-lung transplant and the events leading up to it. Kathleen candidly shares her experience post transplant. You can also follow her journey through her blog "Rose Colored Mask" on the phaware website.
I'm Aware That I'm Rare: Liz DeVivo
In 2000, Liz DeVivo was diagnosed with Scleroderma, a rare and chronic autoimmune disease. The disease attacked her internal organs, causing pulmonary hypertension. Due to the urgency of her condition, she was placed at the top of the transplant list in September 2001. Liz wrote a book (Holding On For Dear Life), chronicling her journey as a young mother to a heart and double lung transplant. Her transplant story was also featured in a commercial in the Super Bowl 51 broadcast.