Sarasota, FL
November 8, 2004
On November 8, 2004, we had a sit down dinner for 100 people
at the Hyatt of Sarasota Florida which began with a "meet
and greet" wine and cheese reception.
Dr. Michael Poon, an Associate Professor of Medicine at the
Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City as well as
the Chief of Cardiology at the Cabrini Medical Center and is
well known for his expertise in Pulmonary Hypertension was
our guest speaker.
Dr. Poon was very informative and spoke at a level that everyone
in attendance could understand. We had Doctors and patients
and caregivers and health care professionals and family and
friends and Dr. Poon offered something for everyone.
As the Sarasota Area Support Group Leader, I am very blessed
to have Dorothy Olson as one of my members. Dorothy Olson is
a co-founder of PHA and such a beautiful person to know. Debbie
Castro from PHA honored Dorothy for all of her work and continued
dedication.
Dr. John Swisher, a local PH specialist and President of the
Community Education Foundation of the Suncoast Lung Center
wrote letters and did mailings to many of the local Cardiologists,
Pulmonolgists and Endocrinologist so they would be aware of
the learning opportunity available to them.
I gave a short talk on Hope and I am very grateful to some
of my members for allowing me to introduce them and show that
having PH for 26 years, or having a double lung transplant,
or being 6 years old and diagnosed with PH and now standing
on the platform beside me at age 15, gives hope, and shows
great courage.
It was a wonderful evening, a tribute to Pulmonary Hypertension
Awareness Month, and I thank each and every one of you who
took part in the event, and a special thank you to all the
companies and private donors who made the evening possible.
Gail Bucci
Sarasota Florida
PHA Support Group Leader
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