At the age of three, Gerry Fischer’s daughter Maleen was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension and, as there was no treatment for this fatal disease at the time in Austria, the doctors sent her home. Her life expectancy was only a few years. In the twenty plus years since her diagnosis, Gerry went on to help raise over ten million dollars in research funds during his tenure as the head of the European Pulmonary Hypertension Association. Maleen, now 21, wrote a book about her PH journey with the inspirational message: “Every person’s life and fate has positive aspects. You only have to search for them.
I'm Aware That I'm Rare: Omar and Javier Estevez
Twin brothers, Omar and Javier Estevez describe how they contracted pulmonary hypertension in the aftermath of 9-11. After their diagnosis they found hope and help from The Caring Voice Coalition. These brothers also share how important it is to engage for a cure. Listen to “I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware™ podcast” at www.phaware.global/podcast. Learn more about pulmonary hypertension at www.phaware.global. #phaware
I'm Aware That I'm Rare: David Grady
Pulmonary Hypertension patient, David Grady is a retired police officer from Ohio. Because he lives along, David describes the importance of being your own advocate. David is also a proud member of the PH Men’s PHight Club on facebook. He discusses how PHight Club strives to be role models for the younger generation of males suffering from this rare, life-threatening disease.
I'm Aware That I'm Rare: Jenn Lalonde
Canadian pulmonary hypertension patient, Jenn Lalonde discusses her road to diagnosis, the need for PH awareness and how she is using writing as a therapeutic tool that not only benefits her but others as well. Listen to “I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware™ podcast” at www.phaware.global/podcast. Learn more about pulmonary hypertension atwww.phaware.global. #phaware #phawarepod
I'm Aware That I'm Rare: Marcie McGregor
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: 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.
I'm Aware That I'm Rare: Stuart Berwick
I'm Aware That I'm Rare: Morgan Nuchols
I'm Aware That I'm Rare: Pisana Ferrari
Pisana has been active in patient advocacy for 15 years, since 2001, when she and other patients suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension founded the Italian PH patient association AIPI. In 2003 she was founding member of PHA Europe, the European federation for PH. Pisana is also a double lung transplant recipient who shares her story on the 15th anniversary of her transplant procedure. Pisana also discusses the importance of advocacy and awareness and the annual global event that is World Pulmonary Hypertension Day (May 5th) #WorldPHDay.
I'm Aware That I'm Rare: Oksana Kulish
I'm Aware That I'm Rare: Danijela Pešić
Danijela Pešić is the founder of PH Serbia. She was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension as a baby over 38 years ago. Danijela is dedicated to raising PH awareness across Serbia and Europe, on behalf of people living with the disease. She works tirelessly to ensure the availability of approved treatments and encourages research for new drugs and therapies. Listen to “I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware™ podcast” at www.phaware.global/podcast. Learn more about pulmonary hypertension at www.phaware.global. #phaware
I'm Aware That I'm Rare: Kevin Lee Burger
Kevin Lee Burger shares his story about being diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, the importance of PH awareness and the reasons that led him to create an online support system to meet the needs of men diagnosed with this rare disease - The PH Men's PHight Club on facebook. Listen to “I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware™ podcast” at www.phaware.global/podcast. Learn more about pulmonary hypertension at www.phaware.global. #phaware