Contact:
Orkideh Malkoc
Pulmonary Hypertension Association
(301) 565-3004 x. 113
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Silver Spring, MD - November 2, 2005 - The Pulmonary
Hypertension Association (PHA) today announced the launch of its
new national disease awareness campaign, "Faces of PAH," to draw
attention to a life-threatening blood vessel disorder of the lung.
The initiative's kick off coincides with PHA ringing the bell
at NASDAQ this morning, along with Encysive Pharmaceuticals, to
usher in Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month. The goal of the
campaign is to raise the profile of pulmonary arterial hypertension
(PAH), a rare and often undiagnosed disease which afflicts an
estimated 100,000 to 200,000 people worldwide.
"PAH is a devastating disease that has a history of being overlooked
and misunderstood by most Americans," said Rino Aldrighetti, President
of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association. "November is Pulmonary
Hypertension Awareness Month, and PHA is poised to bring our "Faces
of PAH" campaign to major markets in the United States. This initiative
will share the stories of heroic PAH patients and their families
in an effort to increase understanding of this life-threatening
disease."
The "Faces of PAH" campaign includes PAH patient ambassadors
highlighting their personal struggle with the disease, therapeutic
progress, personal achievements and other inspirational milestones
captured in educational materials, such as posters and brochures.
These educational materials will be made available in doctors'
offices and PAH treatment centers with the goal of promoting a
dialogue between doctor and patient. The campaign will also generate
public awareness of the disease through media interviews with
patients and PAH thought leaders.
The "Faces of PAH" campaign is made possible by an unrestricted
grant to PHA by Encysive Pharmaceuticals.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a condition involving
high blood pressure and structural changes in the walls of the
pulmonary arteries, which are the blood vessels that connect the
right side of the heart to the lungs. Affecting people of all
ages and ethnic backgrounds - but most commonly found in young
women of child-bearing years - the disease has historically been
chronic and incurable, with a poor survival rate. PAH is often
not diagnosed in a timely manner because its early symptoms can
be confused with those of many other pulmonary and respiratory
conditions. Symptoms include shortness of breath, extreme fatigue,
dizziness, fainting, swollen ankles and legs and chest pain (especially
during physical activity). With proper diagnosis, there are currently
several therapies to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of
life for PAH patients. The key is to find a PAH specialist and
pursue immediate treatment.
The Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) is a nonprofit
membership organization that provides a community of hope through
mutual support, medical and public education, and research. Beginning
in 1990, three patients and a family member working with their
own doctors began to locate others with the condition. From its
humble beginnings around a "kitchen table," PHA has grown to incorporate
over 6,000 members and 19,000 additional supporters and friends
from 61 nations. These include patients, caregivers, physicians
and other health professionals treating the disease.
For additional information about pulmonary hypertension, please
visit www.phassociation.org.
# # #
email
