read
PHA President's comments
 PHA
presented an internationally lauded awareness-raising
concert on June 11th. Drawing on support from Congressman
Lantos, PHA organized the special event which featured
talented soprano Charity Sunshine who is Congressman
Lantos' granddaughter and a PH patient. Throughout
the evening, several speakers emphasized the need
for continued PH awareness and research, and praised
the event as an excellent step in the right direction.
One of the evening's important speakers was Dr. Zerhouni,
the director of the largest and most renowned US government
research organization - the National Institutes of
Health. Dr. Zerhouni recognized the outstanding work
of the PHA and promised that the National Institutes
of Health would continue to help with research to
benefit PH patients. Charity Sunshine also gave an
impassioned and effective plea for everyone in the
room to do everything in their power to fight PH and
raise awareness about the disease. Rino Aldrighetti,
the President of PHA, had a chance to offer an eloquent
speech about a few of the unseen heroes in the fight
against PH. Congressman Lantos hosted the evening,
and his comments were both powerful and moving, as
he challenged everyone present to spread awareness
of PH throughout their respective communities.
Charity is an exceptional opera singer who has been
singing in choirs since the age of 4. She performed
a carefully selected collection of classical and contemporary
opera pieces, including a beautiful rendition of "Amazing
Grace." During the second part of the program,
Charity was accompanied on the piano by Dr. Condoleezza
Rice. Congressman Lantos introduced Rice as a "warm
friend," and credited Rice with the idea of the
concert as a way to raise public awareness of PH.
The concert was a tremendous success as a way to
raise awareness of PH. The theater was packed with
more than 450 people, including many ambassadors,
Members of Congress and the Undersecretary of Defense.
Kofi Annan, the Secretary-General of the United Nations,
also attended with his wife.
In addition to being a great way to increase public
knowledge of PH, the concert kicked off an effort
to build support for the PH community in Washington.
Congressman Lantos will join Congressman Brady in
reintroducing the PH Research Act in the wake of this
amazing event.
You can get involved in getting the PH Research Act
passed. Join others in the PH community and ask your
elected officials' support. Check out PHAction for
a helpful guide on how to get involved.
Congressman Lantos poses with PHA representatives. Pictured
from left to right: PHA Board Member Carl Hicks, Congressman
Lantos, PHA Board Member Linda Carr, PHA Board Chair
Jack Stibbs, and PHA President Rino Aldrighetti.
PHA Board Members, Linda Carr and Jack Stibbs, chat
with Congressman Lantos.
PHA Board Members, Roger Towle and Dr. Mike McGoon,
discuss the event with Rino Aldrighetti, PHA’s
President.
Lawrence Chan of Actelion and PHA’s Dr. Dave Badesch
stand with PHA President, Rino Aldrighetti.
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