Puttin’ PHore Poots Grows From Desire to Help People With PH Fulfill Lifelong Dreams

The Sixth Annual Puttin’ PHore Poots Golf Tournament and Fundraising Walk will take place Saturday, Sept. 15, in Bloomington, Minn. In August 2011, the Warnbergs received the news that no parent wants to hear; their 21-year-old daughter, Chelsea, had Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (IPAH). At the time, Chelsea was about to begin her senior year of college and had big dreams for her future after graduating.

As parents, Cindy and Gary wanted to do all they could to support their daughter and help her, and other people with PH, fulfill their dreams. Cindy explained, “We wanted to get involved and do something to help the cause and make a difference.”

Being a new member of the PH community, Cindy wanted to learn more about Chelsea’s diagnosis and become an active community participant. She quickly found and attended a fundraising event hosted by another member of the community. When she learned that the Minnesota event would not be repeated the following year, Cindy set out to create an event in honor of Chelsea – a fun space for the PH community to connect. This is when Puttin’ PHore Poots was born! “Poots” is a nickname Cindy gave to Chelsea when she was a child. It was Chelsea’s idea for the event to be a golf tournament so she could participate without having to walk, using the assistance of a golf cart.

Over time, the event has grown; it now includes a morning walk and early evening celebration complete with awards and amazing raffle prizes. The day is filled with fun, laughter, a few team-oriented costumes and fundraising for an important cause. The community has rallied behind Chelsea and the Warnbergs, with more attendees each year. This year the family aims to raise more than $25,000.

Puttin’ PHore Poots is one of 20 O2 breathe™ events that are supported by the Pulmonary Hypertension Association’s (PHA’s) national sponsors: Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Gilead Sciences, Inc., Bayer, United Therapeutics Corporation and CVS Specialty. Register to attend the event Sept. 15 or make a donation on the PHA website if you are unable to attend, at www.phaevents.org/PuttinPHorePoots.