The Pulmonary Hypertension Association seeks empathetic volunteers who want to support their peers. As the year begins, we have several opportunities to get involved with our in-person, phone and online support services.

One way to volunteer is to lead a support group. PHA support groups empower and educate patients and caregivers, giving them hope. Support group leaders can choose to hold in-person, online or hybrid (in-person with virtual elements) meetings. Volunteers plan and lead at least four meetings per year.

“Being a support group leader takes my focus off me and how I feel and puts it on helping others and their needs,” says Marcie McGregor, who leads the CSRA Augusta group in Georgia. “It’s like having another little family, but in that family, everyone understands what you’re going through. Becoming a PHA support group leader was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

Evan Holm, who leads the UNMH Albuquerque group, says support groups are great opportunities for members to discuss what things work them, hear what works for others and to share ideas.

“Leading a PHA support group brings community to people who otherwise wouldn’t have that support,” he says. You will almost never run into someone with PAH out in the community.”

Another way to volunteer is through the PHA Patient and Caregiver Support Line. Support line volunteers can be patients and caregivers who talk to other patients or caregivers by phone. While volunteers can’t give medical advice, they can share their own experiences, listen and connect callers to helpful resources.

PHA also needs volunteers to manage and moderate its Facebook groups.

You can volunteer to moderate any of PHA’s Facebook groups:

  • PHA Long-Term Thrivers
  • PHA Generation Hope: Young Adults
  • PHA PH Plus: Associated Conditions
  • PHA CTEPH (chronic thromboembolic PH)
  • PHA Teens
  • PHA Parents of Kids with PH
  • PHA Caregivers
  • PHA Newly Diagnosed
  • PH & HHT: What’s the Connection?
  • PHA Transplant for Pulmonary Hypertension

“Hearing what others around the country are experiencing and how they are coping is helpful,” says Bob Brooks of Iowa City, Iowa, a member of a PHA Facebook group.

Join us! Volunteer with PHA, and we’ll provide training and tools to get you started and at each step of the way. Apply today.