PHA Offers Stipends for Patients, Caregivers to Attend 2018 PH Conference in Orlando

Beginning in January 2018, people with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and their caregivers can apply for stipends to attend next year’s Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) International PH Conference and Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Florida.

Both U.S. and foreign patients — adults and children alike — are eligible for the scholarships, which cover conference registration fees as well as some travel and lodging, the organization recently announced.

The three-day biannual meeting, set for June 29 to July 1. lets people get together to discuss ongoing PH research. It also helps participants learn how to manage their health and offers educational programs as well as networking possibilities.

The PHA mainly supports newly diagnosed patients or those who have never attended these meetings, which the Silver Spring, Maryland-based group calls a “life-changing event.” The stipends are also open to PHA support group leaders and PHA PHriends volunteers, who may get part of their registration fees covered. Only patients who have never received such a stipend are eligible for financial aid. Support group leaders may receive stipends more than once.

The PHA underscored that it has not settled on eligibility requirements for foreign participants and pediatric patients, who may check the PHA website for updates. The requirements are developed by the Conference Scholarship Committee, a group of anonymous patients and caregivers.

Besides these scholarships, the first 150 registered PHA Patient and Caregiver Program volunteers will receive stipends covering the registration fees, which are already heavily subsidized.

The organization will provide further meeting updates, including meeting programs, registration and scholarships, as it nears. The PHA scholarship program, launched in 2006, is one more way to ease the financial burden of families wishing to attend the meeting.

Meanwhile, scientists will update clinical and basic PH research in two poster sessions. In addition, four studies will be selected for publication in PHA’s medical journal, Advances in Pulmonary Hypertension.

For more information about PHA’s Conference Scholarship Program, please contact Mike Knaapen, PHA’s director of patient and caregiver programs, at (240) 485-0758 or [email protected].