Two families offered a match for this week’s 2018 Giving Tuesday campaign, helping boost the Pulmonary Hypertension Association’s (PHA) total donations to a record-breaking $61,882 for the annual giving event. The Doerge and Blesi families, who were first touched by pulmonary hypertension (PH) when daughter Zoe Doerge was diagnosed, offered a $17,000 match in honor of Zoe’s upcoming 17th birthday. This generous offer inspired donors to give $44,882 on Giving Tuesday, a 70 percent increase over 2017 donations.
After Zoe was diagnosed in 2013, her mom Robin Doerge connected with PHA and local families affected by PH. The families subsequently learned that PH didn’t have to limit Zoe’s activities. “PHA gives me and my family the support we need while we try and help fund a cure for this disease, said Robin.
Now, Robin serves on the PHA Development Committee and volunteers annually to raise money to fund PHA’s mission. Through her work with PHA, Robin has seen firsthand the impact each event has on a local community. She also gets the chance to see volunteers come together in a meaningful way to support not only PHA’s mission, but also support each other and their loved ones living with PH. “My advice for people who want to get involved would be to reach out to the PHA staff or trustees, Robin said. “Everyone who is involved with PHA has a passion for finding a cure and helping people, patients and families devise strategies to live their best lives.”
Giving Tuesday may be over, but the holiday season is the perfect time to help PHA meet its mission with a donation. To get involved in PHA fundraising or to learn more, email gro.noitaicossahp@gnivig.
