Many questions and worst-case scenarios ran through my mind when I was diagnosed with PAH. To combat my fears, I found solace through my faith in God, my supportive husband and family, my amazing doctor and care team, and the Pulmonary Hypertension Association.

I turned to PHA’s invaluable resources on how to live better with PH. PHA’s Right Heart Blog and quarterly member magazine Pathlight were the resources I clung to the most because they had advice from other people with PH.

I was grateful to have access to people who intimately know what it’s like to be in my shoes. My friends and family sympathize with me and see my struggles, but there is something beautiful about hearing from and being with people who know exactly how it feels to live in a body with PAH.

My family and I started to attend PHA’s O₂breathe walks in 2022 to meet members of the PHA community and be part of something that was making a difference. With this disease you often feel helpless and participating in the walk felt like a tangible way to give back.

We explored ways to raise the most money in a short period of time. Initially, my sister and I baked “Pies for PH” in exchange for donations, but the abundance of orders became overwhelming.

As a family, we pivoted to a garage sale. Neighbors, members of my church and work colleagues donated furniture, knickknacks and home goods to sell. The garage sale raised $1,500 for the 2023 walk, almost doubling our profits from the pie sales the year before.

This is now an annual endeavor. Our 2024 sale raised $4,475, which our team, “Her PHight is Our Fight,” donated at the 2024 walk. We have already received household goods for our 2025 garage sale.

At our last garage sale, one shopper said her brother was experiencing symptoms that we had described. She said she would take him to the doctors for further testing, and I recommended some tests he should ask for. Then, I learned another attendee participated in the first Remodulin (treprostinil) trials, which was so cool to connect over.

Attending the O₂breathe walks is my way of connecting with PHA and the local PH community. Making new friends and fundraising with my family and friends makes me feel supported and less isolated.

My family and I had no knowledge of this disease before I got diagnosed and found PHA, but now I raise awareness and help others. It means so much to me and my family, and we look forward to our PHA fundraiser every year.