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Right Heart Blog

The PHA community is a network of people with diverse backgrounds and experiences living their best lives. PHA highlights those experiences through inspiring first-person stories in our Right Heart Blog.

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PH Community Stories

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  • Michigan Family Shares Daughter’s PH Journey Wegener_family_2019_wide
    Michigan Family Shares Daughter’s PH Journey

    Cheryl Wegener felt grateful when her daughter’s former classmates chose PHA as a recipient of their senior class fundraiser. She thought the donation was a fitting tribute to Madison, who died during her freshman year of high school. Cheryl shares Madison’s story for PHA's spring fundraising campaign. She and her husband will present the check from the fundraiser at PHA 2022 International PH Conference and Scientific Sessions, Aug. 15-18 in Indianapolis.

  • Game, Set, Match: Tennis Buff ‘Smashes’ PH Kathryn_Buffington_wide
    Game, Set, Match: Tennis Buff ‘Smashes’ PH

    When Kathryn Buffington was diagnosed with PH, a doctor said she’d never play tennis again. Her response? “Watch me.” Buffington, 73, shares her exercise and medication regimens and positive thinking with the Pulmonary Hypertension Association’s Right Heart Blog.

  • As Diagnosis Shock Wanes, Jessica Williams Learns Hope and Gratitude Jessica-Williams_wide
    As Diagnosis Shock Wanes, Jessica Williams Learns Hope and Gratitude

    Jessica Williams felt like she lost everything she’d ever worked for when she was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension in February 2020. Williams had to give up the cleaning company she started so to manage her disease. Williams, who lives with her parents in Omaha, shares her journey with the Pulmonary Hypertension Association’s Right Heart Blog.

  • Shannon Munson soars beyond tough times Shannon-skydiving_wide
    Shannon Munson soars beyond tough times

    Shannon Munson of San Clemente, California, makes the most of living with pulmonary hypertension. Diagnosed in 2006, Munson lives an active lifestyle and volunteers at her children’s schools. “Over the last 17 years, I have continued to do all the things I was told I would never do again.”

  • The Case for Portable Liquid Oxygen

    Transitioning to liquid oxygen was challenging. My oxygen needs increased requiring me to learn a new system. This change forced me to admit that my progressive disease was progressing.

  • Oxygen Users ‘Desperately Need More Options’

    Nancy Zeppa, 60, is a leader of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association South Jersey Support Group. Her journey with oxygen began in August 2019 when she was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

  • How Ron Ancrum Found Strength to ‘Keep On Moving’ Ron-Ancrum-wide
    How Ron Ancrum Found Strength to ‘Keep On Moving’

    Ron Ancrum was 25 when he learned he had sarcoidosis. Three decades later, he learned the condition had caused pulmonary arterial hypertension. He shares his path to positivity and self-publishing in the Pulmonary Hypertension Association’s Right Heart Blog. Read his story.

  • PTE Surgery Discovers a ‘Young Heart’
    PTE Surgery Discovers a ‘Young Heart’

    Mark Porter, 49, lives in Rexburg, Idaho, with Erin, his wife of 26 years. They have three sons, Colton, Carson and Caleb. Mark owns Porter’s Office Products and enjoys working out, skiing and water skiing. He originally shared his story in the winter 2022 issue of Pathlight, the Pulmonary Hypertension Association’s member magazine.

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