PHA Will Host O2 Breathe Hearts PHor Hope Gala in Chicago

The country’s leading source of pulmonary hypertension patient and research support, the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, is hosting the first O2 Breathe Hearts PHor Hope Gala this month. The benefit will be spearheaded by the association’s Midwest Chapter to raise funds and awareness for this rare, life-altering, and life-threatening cardiopulmonary disease.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is one of the most misdiagnosed, potentially fatal conditions today, as its symptoms are often mistaken for “normal signs” of aging, being physically unfit, or for other respiratory conditions such as COPD. Usually, by the time PH is properly diagnosed, it has progressed to a critical condition, often showing signs of right-side heart failure. On average, untreated or poorly managed PH can cause death in less than 3 years.

Serving as master of ceremonies is CBS 2 Chicago reporter Dana Kozlov, who only recently became a PH advocate after she did a story on a Chicago resident living with the disease. PHA Board of Trustees member Steve Van Wormer invited his friend comedian Ryan Sickler to provide some of the evening’s entertainment, alongside a benefit auction.

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The benefit will honor Clinical Professor of Medicine Dr. Stuart Rich from the University of Chicago Medicine with the Heart PHor Hope Legacy Award. His clinical and research accomplishments as one of the United States’ leading experts on cardiopulmonary diseases have contributed to and even reshaped what is known about PH and how best to manage it. He has been on the Chicago Magazine and Castle Connolly Ltd.’s lists of the country’s best doctors for more than 20 consecutive years. Geoff Gephart, the Executive Director of PHA’s Midwest Chapter, said they are honored to present Dr. Rich an award that recognizes all that he has done for the PH community.

This inaugural gala will be attended by some of the most esteemed and seasoned experts in the field of pulmonary hypertension to celebrate the community’s breakthrough advancements and garnered support, and at the same time, give due recognition to the brilliant minds and generous parties who have made it and continue to make it possible.

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The O2 Breathe Hearts PHor Hope Gala will take place on Saturday, November 22, 2014, at 6:00 pm to 11:30 pm, at the Renaissance Chicago O’Hare Suites Hotel Grand Ballroom along 8500 W Bryn Mawr Ave. Chicago, Ill. 60631.

Those interested can register through the HeartsGala14 website. Tickets are priced at $125 per person, $1,250 for a table of 10 attendees, and $2,500 and up for sponsorship tables.