Jenn Garigen and Jane Northrop facilitate PHA’s monthly parent telephone support group, a place where parents of children with PH can connect and share experiences, challenges and triumphs. Jenn has been facilitating the telephone support group since it launched in early 2018. Jenn and Jane met at PHA’s International PH Conference and Scientific Sessions in 2018, and Jane was instantly convinced that she wanted to help moderate the calls.

“I have a soft spot for parents because this is my connection to the community,” Jane says. “Although my daughter, Nicole, is no longer a pediatric patient, I do this because I will never forget what it was like receiving the diagnosis. I want to help other parents through that initial process because someone did the same for me when Nicole was newly diagnosed. I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to moderate this call with Jenn.”

“I really enjoy connecting with parents who have newly diagnosed children,” says Jenn, whose son Tyler has PH. “It feels good to give them a chance to ask questions, receive encouragement and overall just realize that they are not alone in what they are going through. The PAH diagnosis is so overwhelming at first, and hopefully Jane and I can help make it seem a little more manageable.”

Jenn Garigen and her son Tyler

Jane Northrop (right) and her daughter Nicole Northrop (left)