Pulmonary Hypertension Association
In 1987, three pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients and a caretaker met around a kitchen table to discuss life with PH. At the time there was little information or hope for patients. These four created the Pulmonary Hypertension Association with these goals:
By 1990, PHA had 100 members, published a quarterly newsletter and a list of qualified specialists, and started a toll-free patient helpline. 1994 brought about the first International Conference. Slowly but surely, patients were coming together and getting the information they needed to survive.
Now PHA has over 7,500 patients, caretakers, and doctors as well as 24,000 other supporters and friends. The PHA website is one of the most comprehensive websites on PH complete with messageboards and daily chats. There are over 140 support groups throughout the world that still come together every two years for the International Conference. PHA alsoteaches patients how to raise awareness and advocate to their congressmen. PHA has directed over $6 million dollars towards PH research, without which new drugs would not have come on the market.
More than anything else, the Pulmonary Hypertension Association has given patients hope. Newly diagnosed patients come to the message boards terrified and are quickly comforted that they're not alone and it will be okay. Patients and doctors come together through PHA to bring an end to pulmonary hypertension.
Go here to find out what PH patients think about PHA
Go here to see PHA's 2006 financial
report
Check out our nonprofit status:
How to donate or become a sponsor
