30 Days of PH

In recognition of PH awareness month, PH News has reached out to patients, caregivers, medical professionals and many others, to share their stories and unique perspective on PH and how it has impacted their lives. We will be sharing these stories daily though the entire month of November.

30 Days of PH: I Advocate to Honor My Son

Photo courtesy of Annie Whitaker Day 22 of 30 This is Annie Whitaker’s (@PHAAustralia) story: My name is Annie Whitaker, also known as Annie Boxsell Whitaker. I am a Queensland nominee for Australian of the Year. I was nominated because I have worked over the past 22 years…

30 Days of PH: How My PH Story Sparked a Lifetime Movie

Photo courtesy of Priya Balachandran Day 21 of 30 This is Priya Balachandran’s (@pbinla) story: “If I had to do it all over again, knowing what I know, I would, just to spend whatever time I have with my miracle, Kali.” I finish reading, a lump in my…

30 Days of PH: Our Young Son Inspires Everyone He Meets

Photo courtesy of Jessica Apostoloff Day 20 of 30 This is Jessica Apostoloff’s (@xoxjessaxox) story: Odin is our seven-year-old son who has been living with pulmonary hypertension (PH) since birth. It’s an illness that he fights daily and one he does not allow to define how he…

30 Days of PH: My Hopes While Living With PAH in Bermuda

Photo courtesy of Charlita Hayward Day 18 of 30 This is Charlita Hayward’s (@haywardcharlita) story: I am a 33-year-old mother of two sons, 11 and 9, and am engaged. I live in Bermuda, and have idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). I was diagnosed in August 2020 after…

30 Days of PH: I Work to Stay Busy and Active

Photo courtesy of Roger Bliss Day 16 of 30 This is Roger Bliss’s story: When I was getting short of breath several years ago, I thought it was just from being out of shape and older. I am 68 now. At first, I was treated for COPD. I…

30 Days of PH: The Key to Living Successfully With PAH

Photo courtesy of Lauren Janzen Day 15 of 30 This is Lauren Janzen’s (@supa_yoopa) story: Hi, my name is Lauren. I’ve been a member of the pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) community for nearly 12 years. I was diagnosed after fainting at a high-intensity exercise class in January…

30 Days of PH: I Received My Miracle

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…

30 Days of PH: Don’t Procrastinate in Seeing a Doctor

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…


A Conversation With Rare Disease Advocates