Dear friends,In a few days, the Pulmonary Hypertension Association will launch our annual campaign for Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month. This year, our theme is “Let Your Light Shine,” which celebrates the triumphs – no matter how large or small – of living with PH.Throughout November, PHA will recognize members of the PH community who let their light shine, whether it’s through advocacy, fundraising, volunteering, awareness-raising or other activities. We’ll share anecdotes and inspiration through our social media accounts and newsletters. We encourage people with PH, caregivers, family members and health care professionals to participate – not just in the US, but around the world.Your participation can help educate the public about PH. Show the world how you advocate for better care and improved treatment access or what you do to support PHA programs. Share pictures of you and your family/friends at a fundraiser or other PHA event on our social media pages and yours. If you have PH, consider posting your story about participating in clinical trials or managing PH-related challenges.No matter what you do to thrive with PH, please share your story to let your light shine, or post on social media with #PHAssociation, #PHAwarenessMonth and #LetYourLightShine.Our digital toolkit can help you get started. It offers shareable resources to help you spread awareness through your own social media and personal connections. You can download infographics, fact sheets and flyers, social media profile and cover photos, an email signature, and sample social media posts. The toolkit also includes graphics and sample social media posts for CTEPH Awareness Day on Nov. 13.Please join us at 2 p.m. EDT/6 p.m. UTC that day for our latest PHA Live Webinar, “PHA Research: Spotlight on Innovative Projects in PH.” Four talented PHA grant recipients will discuss their work to enhance understanding of PH and pave the way for new treatments. Hear how their discoveries could improve the lives of those living with PH.Throughout November, you also can let your light shine by becoming a catalyst for change. If you live in the US, please join us in advocating for the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform Act. Consider sharing your experience with Congress to improve access to supplemental oxygen. If you live elsewhere, consider sharing your treatment access challenges with policymakers or the media – in whatever manner is appropriate where you live.For those in the US, particularly California and Texas, let your light shine while having fun and getting active. Even if you don’t live in one of those states, you can cheer on and support a participant or team virtually in one of these fundraising events:- Nov. 2 Monrovia (California) O2breathe Walk.
- Nov. 2: El Paso (Texas) O2 Walk in collaboration with Texas Tech University.
- Nov. 9: Dallas Zebra PHest O2 Walk.
Matt J. Granato, LLM, MBA (he/him)
President and CEO
