We made It

I sincerely hope that all who were able to attend the 9th International Pulmonary Hypertension Conference last week in California learned a lot and had as much fun as I did. It was a great conference. See you in Orlando 2012. Don't miss it.

Preparing for 2010 Conference

The June conference will be the best ever. Excitement is mounting as the time draws closer and travel plans are a work in progress. I traveled to California last week for meetings and some final conference preparations. It will be great. The weather should be warm in the upper 80s with zero humidity making it easy for us to breath. Starting June 1st I am going to slowly start adjusting my sleep pattern since CA is 3 hours behind the East Coast. I want to be awake and enjoy every minute there. See you in sunny CA.

Being Part of Path to a Cure

Piedmont PH Support Group had 12 patients, family and friends show up for our Path to a Cure Unity Walk that was held February 23, 2010 at Hanes Mall in Winston-Salem, NC. Thanks to Barbara Hockaday, manager of the local Accredo office for providing sandwiches and water. $425 was collected to support the efforts of Dr Frantz, Dr Benza and Jessica Lasar to not only increase PH awareness but raise research funds to find a cure. Thanks--we really appreciate being part of this event.

Arrangements were finalized for Wednesday February 24, 2010 for our conversation with the mountain climbers. As the time drew near a call came in explaining how sick the group was and the call would need to be rescheduled. The window of opportunity was not very big. The following day the conference room was not available and Friday I had an appointment with a new cardiologist which was already put off once. (The doctor rescheduled so he would have more time to go over all the records. LOL). By the time it could be rescheduled the guys would already be well off the mountain.

To my surprise Jessica from PHA called mid morning on Thursday, February 25th. Dr Benza and Dr Frantz checked in with them. Jess wanted to try to patch the call to me. This was so unexpected but so exciting--totally unexpected. We had a great conversation talking about many different things from our walk, the snow, the beautiful view, climbing the mountain, being SOB. Thanks so much for sharing your adventure with us.

We are not only thankful that all three of you made it home safely but for your efforts to combat this disease.

Hear is Talking to You

As you may know the Piedmont PH Support Group is hosting a Kilimanjaro Unity Walk on Tuesday February 23, 2010 from 6-8 pm starting at BestHealth in Hanes Mall; Winston-Salem, NC. We are excited about this event hoping we can add some to the research funds.

Arrangements have been ironed out for us to actually speak to the our heroes climbing Mt Kilimanjaro via satellite phone link up. Since this could only be arranged from 8 am - 12 noon while they are in base camp, February 24th at 11 am was selected, the day after our walk. Many PH patients are not early risers. LOL

We needed to arrange a conference room with a good speaker phone. So if you are in the area on Feb 24th come join us on the Campus of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. We will be on the 4th floor Miller Street conference room. The building is located at the corner of Miller Street and Cloverdale Avenue; Winston-Salem, NC next to Wendy's. Look forward to seeing you there.

Thanks team.

Media Madness

Diane Ramirez is working with her contacts at the local Fox News. They did a PH story for us in November 2008 for Awareness Month. Our hope is for them to do a story about the Kilimanjaro Climb and our walk to be held on February 23 at Hanes Mall in Winston-Salem, NC.

I have been in touch with the WS Journal who previously did a story regarding David, one of the PH kids in our support group. I am convinced Lisa, the reporter will be back in touch in the next couple of days with an answer.

Excitement is mounting!

Support the Kilimanjaro Climb

Good Evening. This is definitely more fun than watching the Super Bowl!!

As you may know a little more than a week from now, Dr Frantz from the Mayo Clinic, Dr Benza and Jessica Lazar from Allegheny General in Pittsburgh will be starting out on a journey that will take them close to the top of the world. They are doing this in support of us, patient with Pulmonary Hypertension. We need to support them as in doing so we are also helping ourselves. Researches believe a PH cure is just on the horizon. The time it takes to get to the horizon will be shorter due to the efforts of caring people like these three.
Have a great time you guys. Be safe. Bundle up and thanks a million.

Jury Duty

My husband receives a summons for jury duty at least once a year. I never get one. It has probably been 15+ years since I had one. Believe it or not a summons came for me in the mail today. Yikes! February 23rd, the same day as our Unity Walk supporting Dr Frantz, Dr Benza and Jessica as they trek up Mt Kilimanjaro for PH. Do you think the judge will let me off for this reason? Maybe I could get him to donate! LOL. I can be convincing!
The day before I call to see if my assigned number is required to report. I should still have enough time even if I need to show up jury duty. I wiIl need a back-up plan in case I'm not out in time. John says you stay until they are finished with you. What next Charlie Brown?