In honor of Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness month, the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) joined Michigan PH support groups for their annual PAH Awareness Luncheon and Conference. This 18th annual Michigan statewide event held on Nov. 3 in Novi, Mich., brought together the pulmonary hypertension (PH) community from all over the state to help spread awareness about PH. The luncheon event included networking, food, a Q&A panel with physicians and more!
Key organizer, PH patient and Ann Arbor Support Group Leader Bev Lipmyer has watched this once small luncheon turn into a big event focused on education and awareness for the PH community. “This event gets patients together, throughout the state, to learn and share from each other and hear from physicians and nurses within the PH community,” says Bev.
The statewide luncheon is a large support group meeting to encourage the growth of support groups throughout the state, along with raising money for PHA’s research fund.
Addressing over 100 attendees at this event, PHA CEO and President Brad Wong gave opening remarks to inspire commitment to spread awareness of this rare disease, saying “Our PH community is unique and powerful because of the way patients, caregivers and health care providers come together and support each other… and PHA. As you may know, PHA is the oldest and world’s largest organization dedicated to serving the pulmonary hypertension community. Our mission is simple…but critical, ‘to extend and improve the lives of those affected by PH.’”
He encouraged attendees to participate in PHA’s awareness month activities and to help make sure that their voices are heard loud, clear and strong throughout the nation. “You can go to PHA’s website to see how easily you can participate in awareness month activities and take action.”
