PHenomenal Campaign Invites PH Patients to Show Off Their True Selves

SteadyMed, Ltd., and the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) recently launched a new campaign, called PHenomenal, offering patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and their loved ones a social media outlet through which to share photos and videos that highlight how fascinating and inspirational they are as people.

“My patients with PH continually impress me with their strength, humor and optimism. PH can be a devastating disease, but they refuse to let it define them,” Dr. Fernando Torres, a professor of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center, where he serves as medical director of the Lung Transplant Program and head of the Pulmonary Hypertension Program, said in a news release.

To join the PHenomenal campaign, people are asked to use #PHenomSelf to tag the photos or videos on their Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram pages. More information about the campaign is available on its Tumblr (www.tumblr.com/blog/phenomself) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/phenomself) pages. Anyone can also go to those sites to see posts by people already participating.

“I have been involved with the PH community for more than 22 years, since my daughter Meaghan was first diagnosed. Since then, I’ve had the privilege to meet many others who continue to amaze and inspire me,” said Carl Hicks, executive vice president of the PHA. “I remember Meaghan, who we lost in 2009, as vibrant, joyful and strong, and I am delighted that we are giving others the opportunity to show what makes them unique as well.”

Added Marylyn Rigby, a senior director at SteadyMed: “We couldn’t be prouder to be partnering with the PHA to give those with PH and their loved ones an opportunity to share their incredibly inspiring stories.”

PH results from an increase of blood pressure in the pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein, or pulmonary capillaries, together known as the lung vasculature, that leads to shortness of breath, dizziness, leg swelling, and other symptoms. One form of PH, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), is a progressive and chronic disease that significantly impacts patients’ lives.