Monica Penaranda didn’t let a pulmonary hypertension (PH) diagnosis stop her from living her best life. She recently shared her 23-year PH journey as part of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA)’s 30th anniversary celebrations. Monica reflects on how PHA’s research and patient support programs helped her transform her life.
Monica Penaranda thought her life was shattered when a pulmonary hypertension (PH) diagnosis ended her days of cheerleading, track and varsity softball. Instead, she reconfigured her life goals. Twenty-three years later, Monica, a member of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) Board of Trustees, is the face of PHA’s spring fundraising campaign.
Two years ago, Gary Atkinson created a fundraising team for the Boston O2breathe Walk to honor his daughter’s memory. Gary, a former resident of West Townsend, Massachusetts, named the team “Because of Sarah” for his daughter, who was born with pulmonary hypertension and died almost 21 years ago at age 18.
Candace and her family became involved in the Detroit O2breathe Walk to give back and get more involved in the PH community. She met others with PH like me through the walk, giving her hope and people to relate to.
Peter Pierce of Oklahoma City has participated in the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) Right Heart Fight 5K and Walk since his 2015 diagnosis. He says his annual donations support PHA’s mission to extend and improve the lives of those affected by pulmonary hypertension.
