[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 142 (Wednesday, November 19, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1635]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CELEBRATING PULMONARY HYPERTENSION AWARENESS MONTH

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                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2014

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join those celebrating the 
month of November as Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month and to 
thank the Pulmonary Hypertension Association for its work in furthering 
understanding of this life-changing disease.
  Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a chronic, complex, and life-
threatening lung disease marked by elevated blood pressure in the 
lungs. The Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) is a nonprofit 
organization that seeks ways to prevent and cure pulmonary hypertension 
and to provide hope for the PH community through support, education, 
advocacy and awareness. I am particularly proud of the work that the 
PHA Midwest Chapter is doing to provide support for people living with 
pulmonary hypertension and those who care for them. Their efforts to 
raise awareness and push for research into improved treatments and, 
ultimately, a cure are critical.
  PHA is a young organization that is changing the history of this 
illness. From simple beginnings--four women around a kitchen table in 
Florida in 1990--PHA has evolved in size and complexity. When the 
association was founded, there were no support groups to help 
individuals and caregivers cope with this disease. Today, PHA serves 
more than 13,000 members and supporters with over 245 support groups 
that provide knowledge, support, hope and empowerment for the PH 
community. PHA continues to work every day to find a cure for pulmonary 
hypertension and believes that no one should face this disease alone.
  On November 22, PHA Midwest and the PH community will mark Pulmonary 
Hypertension Month by hosting the inaugural O2 breathe Hearts PHor Hope 
Gala. The gala is an opportunity both to focus attention and to 
recognize the accomplishments and advances made in the PH field, while 
honoring those who made these advances possible. This special evening 
will honor Stuart Rich, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine at the 
University of Chicago Medicine with the 2014 Heart PHor Hope Legacy 
Award. A dedicated researcher, passionate physician and continuous 
supporter of PHA, Dr. Rich has been a groundbreaking leader in the 
pulmonary hypertension field for more than three decades and continues 
to show his dedication and support of the PH community.
  The PHA Midwest Chapter is a valuable resource, and I am grateful for 
the job that it is doing to raise awareness through next week's gala 
and the annual marathon, to provide assistance, and to push for greater 
research and medical breakthroughs.

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