More than 90 people gathered at the Denver Marriott Westminster Aug. 23 for education sessions, support and resources at the PHA’s PH Community Workshop.

“It gave me a lot of hope meeting other people with similar stories and learning from doctors with so much compassion, knowledge and optimism for finding a cure,” said Jane Ahlstrom, who was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension in 2023.

Before attending, Ahlstrom said she was stressed but tried to be positive. “Now, I feel like I have a real reason to base my hope on.”

Sessions covered issues related to adult and pediatric pulmonary hypertension and some related conditions. The workshop also featured a support group for people with PH and caregivers and a panel discussion. PH-treating health care professionals on the panel shared their experiences on the frontlines of patient care, treatment challenges and emerging needs for those affected by PH.

The workshop concluded with a Q&A by David Badesch of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Todd Bull of the University of Colorado, and Dunbar Ivy of Children’s Hospital Colorado.

PH in the Park

The next day, the PH community gathered at Denver City Park Pavilion for the 16th annual PH in the Park. Co-hosted by the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, the University of Colorado Denver and Children’s Hospital Colorado, the event featured a one-mile walk and 5K run.

Ahlstrom and her husband Paul attended the event after talking with Peter Hountras at the PH Community Workshop. Hountras, of the University of Colorado-Anschutz, was a speaker at the workshop.

“I didn’t think I could [participate in the walk]. But Dr. Hountras was so kind and encouraging and I knew I needed to try,” Ahlstrom said. “The fact that I could do this is really huge for me mentally.”

With 300 participants, the event raised more than $50,000 for the three host organizations.