After attending the 2008 PHA Conference I became inspired to do more for the PH community. I went to a session that talked about advocacy and awareness. Once Katie, PHA's director of advocacy and awareness, explained how easy it is to get involved I made sure I would at least give it a try when I got home. I contacted my congressman's (Trent Franks) office to see if I could get in to see someone and talk about the PH Research and Education Act. Read Story
 

Ruthie's visit with Rep. Franks' staff is a perfect example of the August visits that many PH advocates are now requesting. During August, Members of Congress work from their home states, which makes it a great time to visit them in their office or invite them to your support group meeting. Their time fills up fast though, so get started on planning your district visit today!  You can find more information at our District Visit Campaign page or by calling Katie at 301-565-3004 x749.

The 2008 PHA International PH Conference was the scene of an exciting new award: the presentation of our first Corporate Cup to Accredo. Late last fall, members of PHA's Corporate Committee challenged themselves to raise funds for PHA programs through employee giving - a challenge that was obviously met with enthusiasm by Accredo employees. Approximately 930 Accredo employees donated nearly $34,000 to PHA since the Corporate Cup challenge was announced. But it didn't end there: that amount was matched by the company, bringing the total to almost $70,000! We truly appreciate how much PH patients mean to the employees of Accredo when they give not only their service, but open their wallets and checkbooks on behalf of our shared cause.
 
Photo Caption: PHA (then) Secretary Candi Bleifer presents the Corporate Cup to Jean Bergwall, Product Line Director of Pulmonary Therapies at Accredo.

This July, Actelion has expanded its patient support program, Sure Steps™, to now offer a series of web / teleconferences to Sure Steps patients. This expansion, named Sure Steps Connect™, will address a range of topics from understanding diagnosis, to daily life with PH. The web and teleconferences will include a question and answer session for patients. For more information and to view a conference schedule, visit www.SureStepsConnect.com or call 1-877-783-7750.  

Many other patient and pharmaceutical support programs are available to patients through companies who work in the field of PH, including:

PEER Network (Patients Exchanging Experiences with Remodulin) - The goal of PEER is to provide an opportunity for people who are considering or who have recently started Remodulin to talk with an experienced Remodulin patient, called a PEER Mentor.

Insights - An educational program created by Gilead Sciences intended for PH patients and their caregivers, with the purpose of enhancing the patient-physician relationship. Insights printed materials will be able to be found in PH Centers and physicians' offices in the near future.

RSVP (Reimbursement Solutions, Verification, and Payment program) - This is a hotline offered by Pfizer that provides answers to patient coverage and reimbursement questions on Revatio, as well as information on the Revatio Patient Assistance Program. To contact RSVP, call 1-888-327-RSVP(7787).

To learn more about patient and pharmaceutical support program options, you can visit: PHA's Website.