Bionews Staff, writers and editors —

Carla Jean was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension at age 25. (Photo courtesy of Carla Jean) Day 4 of 30 This is Carla Jean’s story: In July 2020, I started feeling slightly out of breath when doing simple tasks. I attributed this to pandemic lockdown fatigue, a lack of…

Dakota was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension at age 6. (Photo courtesy of Laura Schonlau) Day 3 of 30 This is Laura Schonlau’s story: My daughter was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH) when she was 6. She is now 18. Although she has suffered all the pain and misfortune…

Perry Mamigonian with his wife, Susie Alvarez (Photo courtesy of Perry Mamigonian) Day 2 of 30 This is Perry Mamigonian’s story: After living with PH for over 10 years, I guess I was lulled into a false sense of security that nothing worse could happen. Then in 2019, I…

Elena takes a photo with her brother Kiril, and mother Lori. (Photo courtesy of Elena Dimova) Day 1 of 30 This is Elena Dimova’s story: I was born in the middle of 1991 in a country known as Yugoslavia. By the end of the year, Yugoslavia was no more.

Healthcare providers involved in diagnosing and treating rare diseases believe that increased physician education and collaboration with specialized facilities will have the greatest positive impact on treating these conditions over the next five years, according to results from a 2021 survey. Definitive Healthcare, a healthcare commercial intelligence company, conducted…

Photo courtesy of Colleen Steele Day 30 of 30 This is Colleen Steele’s story: My son Cullen had pediatric idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) and received a heart and double-lung transplant seven years ago. As a columnist and forum moderator for Pulmonary Hypertension News, I strive to help others…

Photo courtesy of Justin Anthony Day 29 of 30 This is Justin Anthony’s story: It was the Easter holiday of 2007, and I made my way to my hometown of Greytown, KwaZulu-Natal, in South Africa. I’d been a student at Wits University, and always loved going home on holiday…

Photo courtesy of Sara Eldaly Day 28 of 30 This is Sara Eldaly’s story: Suffering from a chronic illness is an undefined feeling. I was only 24 years old at my diagnosis, newly married, and extremely excited about my upcoming life and plans. I then found myself fainting in…

Photo courtesy of Pam Minkey Day 27 of 30 This is Pam Minkey’s story: My daughter Mara was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in February 2017 at age 9. She had been misdiagnosed for several years until finally having an echocardiogram. Her echo suggested PAH, so…

Photo courtesy of Carrie Walls Day 26 of 30 This is Carrie Walls’ (@boymomx3walls, @prayersfortriston) story: The first time I heard the words “pulmonary hypertension” (PH), I was sitting next to my son’s hospital bed after his first open-heart surgery. I had no idea what it meant…

Photo courtesy of Jessica Nichols Johnson Day 25 of 30 This is Jessica Nichols Johnson’s (@7261Johnson) story: Kayleigh Johnson is a typical teenager with one huge difference. She fights for every breath she takes. When Kayleigh was born, she had two holes in her heart. Her doctors decided…

Photo courtesy of Darci Stout Albrecht Day 24 of 30 This is Darci Stout Albrecht’s (@darci.albrecht) story: The most intense and rewarding work I have done as a licensed clinical social worker has been with the pediatric pulmonary hypertension (PH) population. I have been a clinical social…