BioNews Staff, writers and editors —

Photo courtesy of Sheila Ranftl Day 14 of 30 This is Tatiana Ranftl’s (@silvermami0531) story: After Christmas 2020, my condition had become terminal. My parents and I were told that I’d reached the end of the line. I fell apart hearing the words “heart failure.” I’d always been…

Photo courtesy of Susi Steppins Day 13 of 30 This is Susi Steppins’ story: Hello. My name is Susi Steppins. I knew something was wrong for a long time before I received my diagnosis. In fact, I’d felt for years that something was off. I would have bad…

Photo courtesy of Irene Chipounov Day 12 of 30 This is Irene Chipounov’s (@irinachipounov) story: Our 8-year-old daughter, Karina, was born with a right-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). She spent the first six months of her life in the NICU at Rady’s Children’s Hospital in San Diego,…

Photo courtesy of Kayla Marie Day 11 of 30 This is Kayla Marie’s (@itskayyyla) story: My name is Kayla. I’m 26 with a 4-year-old daughter, and I’m about to get married this December. I was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) by a heart cath on…

Photo courtesy of Lisa Chapman Day 10 of 30 This is Lisa Chapman’s (@Lisa_Chizzapman) story: My name is Lisa Chapman, and I am a “PHighter.” I have been sick since May 11, 2019. I have been my own biggest advocate since then — with no other choice but…

Photo courtesy of Roxanne Giustini Day 9 of 30 This is Roxanne Giustini’s (@steelergirlrock) story: I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) in January 2016. This was not my first experience with a strange new disease. In 2002, after a year of terrible symptoms and…

Photo courtesy of Zyana Perez Day 8 of 30 This is Zyana Perez’s (@zyanaperez) story: For years, our family of three wanted to expand to four. We never could decide the “right time” to have a new baby. Between moving, finishing college, and many other things, we figured…

Photo courtesy of Lauryn Durham Day 7 of 30 This is Lauryn Durham’s (@_misslauryn) story: In the words of Beyonce in her song “Feeling Myself,” my world both literally and figuratively stopped, but I have continued to carry on. I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension…

Photo courtesy of Terra Carter Day 6 of 30 This is Terra Carter’s (@Realslimmshadey) story: My twin sister was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) more than 10 years ago. I was tested and showed no signs of having it. I lived a normal life, exercising,…

Photo courtesy of Katie Sample Day 5 of 30 This is Katie Sample’s (@katiecomansample) story: My story begins with my husband, Bruce, who was a cancer survivor. Bruce unexpectedly passed away on April 13, 2018. We had been together for nearly 10 years. We were both attorneys (I…

Photo courtesy of Terry Meehan   Day 4 of 30 This is Terry Meehan’s story: Australia has a population of around 34 million kangaroos, 30 million drop bears, 26 million humans, 1.4 million wild horses and camels, and around 250,000 crocodiles. Nah, I exaggerated the number of drop bears…

Photo courtesy of Aya Hashiguchi Clark Day 3 of 30 This is Aya Hashiguchi Clark’s (@dukesbay_productions) story: Voice of the stage manager: “Places!” Lights dim on the audience. Lights up on the stage. The play begins. This was a big part of my life before I became a…