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YOUR DONATION TODAY IS CRITICAL2023-03-16T09:48:50-04:00

Honor the Memories of Those We Have Lost to PH.
Make a Gift to PHA Today.

Like many patients, Joanna Grey’s journey to her pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) diagnosis was far from simple. Initially, doctors attributed her symptoms of breathlessness and chest pain to panic attacks, anxiety and stress. However, Joanna knew that something else was wrong and persisted in her search for answers.

Joanna tried several medications to help manage her symptoms, including sildenafil, Opsumit and Uptravi. Despite her discomfort and fatigue, she continued to work full time and fulfill her role as mother, wife and sister. Joanna rarely shared her reality as someone living with an invisible illness. “She’d go to work so she was not late, become sick at work, and call me to bring her a change of clothes so she could keep going,” Jeff says.

In 2019, after battling her employer for accommodations, Joanna’s family convinced her to leave her job. This put a whole new stress on her family.  

“As much as I recognized the [disease] progression, sometimes you didn’t notice it because you were in it every day. It’s much different living with someone who is sick like that,” Jeff says. “You can’t live your life thinking the worst things will happen.”

Thankfully, Joanna and her family found a huge source of hope in two of her doctors: Barbara LaVarge M.D., and Alison Witkin, M.D. Both doctors became the advocates that Joanna and her family needed. Dr. LaVarge suggested Joanna connect with the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA), which proved to be an invaluable resource. Through her participation in two PHA O2breathe walks in Boston, Joanna and her family found a sense of community that they needed.

After Joanna passed away from transplant complications in 2021, her family has been dedicated to keeping her memory alive. They continue to gather together to remember the good times they shared with their independent and sassy Jo. Her experience taught them how short life can be and the importance of having a strong support system.

Invest in PHA’s wide-ranging programs that support patients by making a donation today. Commit a future contribution to our community of hope by remembering PHA in your estate plan, through bequests, retirement plan assets, insurance or other assets.

Donor Spotlights

Help 11-Year-Old Baseball Player Strike Out PH

When Tyler Garigen was diagnosed with PH, he was only 4 years old. Thanks to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA), he and his family found hope for the future. “I can’t imagine living with PH without all the help from PHA.,” he says. Tyler, the face of PHA’s 30th anniversary fall fundraising campaign, encourages the PH community to help PHA continue providing support, education and research.

Devoted to Each Other and PHA

The Pulmonary Hypertension Association recognizes the long-term love between Georgette and Dean Bridger in our end-of-year fund raising campaign. Join them in making a gift to give all families affected by pulmonary hypertension hope for the holidays.

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