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ThePulmonary Hypertension Association recently merged its telephone support groups with its nationwide support group program. The groups are designed for those with shared interests to connect, such as parents, young adults, bereaved families, Spanish speakers, etc. All nationwide meetings now take place through Zoom calls. Participants receive call-in numbers after registering. Learn more: PHAssociation.org/support.

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The Houston-area pulmonary hypertension (PH) community’s first O2breathe walk was the Pulmonary Hypertension Association’s first fundraising event of the year. The Jan. 28 event raised $19,000.

Paul Critser, M.D., Ph.D., received the Pulmonary Hypertension Association Pediatric PH Research Award. Dr. Critser is an assistant professor of pediatrics at Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati. His project, “Pulmonary Vascular Development in BPHD Associated PH,” examines new a non-invasive MRI-based imaging tool. The project could lead to earlier diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia associated-PH, which affects pre-term infants with underdeveloped lungs.

Csaba Galambos, M.D., Ph.D., is the first recipient of PHA’s Innovation Research Award. The new grant funds research projects that address critical issues in advancing PH research. Projects must introduce new scientific or medical concepts or examine existing problems from a new perspective. Dr. Galambos is the director of pediatric pulmonary research at Children’s Hospital Colorado and a lead investigator at the Pediatric Heart Lung Center. His research seeks to understand lung vascular development to identify new strategies for earlier diagnosis, prevention, and potential cures for infants and children with pulmonary disease and PH.

The Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) welcomes Doug Taylor to its Support Group Leader Advisory Board. Doug joins Laura Hooley, Marcie McGregor, Diane Ramirez, Nikole Nichols, Tina Stiyer, Pat Ofori, Monica Penaranda and Debra Hines. Doug has led the MidlandsColumbia support group in South Carolina for 16 years. Doug, who was diagnosed in 2003, celebrates each day to remind his members that every day is precious and that attitude affects state of mind. “If we make each day a holiday and celebrate, it makes our life fuller.” The advisory board consists of eight patients and one caregiver who lead support group.

Sandeep Sahay, M.D., of Houston Methodist Hospital, and Nidhy Varghese, M.D., Texas Children’s Hospital, welcomed everyone to the event. Patients Jordan Peoples, Barron “Coach Bear” Honea, Sarah Donoughue and Sawanda Cornett shared their PH journeys.

Team Houston Methodist, the top team, raised more $13,000, followed by Team Liquidia, and Team Texas Children’s HospitalPH Center. The top three individual fundraisers were Jordan Peoples, Sawanda Cornett and Barron Honea.

PHA’s second fundraising event of the year was the Tampa O2breathe Walk and 5K. The Feb. 18 event was in memory of Missy Stok Rizzo, who died from PH in 2018. It was Tampa’s fifth O2breathe walk.

Missy’s husband Brian Rizzo shared Missy’s story and the event history. More than 90 participants from several states raised $20,530.

Team Couch Rage was the top team, raising $7,015 in memory of Haley Willow. The top individual fundraiser, Rick Swartz, raised $3,815 for Team Couch Rage. MissyFits PHighting for a Cure was the second highest fundraising team. Her PHight is our Fight was the third-place fundraising team. Host an event in your area: events@PHAssociation.org.

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