Pulmonary Hypertension Association Honors Two Pioneers in Rare Disease Field
San Francisco, Calif. (PRWEB) September 12, 2016 -- The Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) will recognize two pioneers in the field of pulmonary hypertension (PH), a rare, life-threatening disease too often misdiagnosed as diseases like asthma. PHA will honor Jean-Paul Clozel, M.D. and Martine Clozel, M.D at the Evening of Hope Gala, Sept. 22, at the Fort Mason Center, Gallery 308 in San Francisco.
Hosted by PHA’s California chapter, the Evening of Hope Gala is a fundraiser that celebrates 25 years of groundbreaking advancements towards a PH cure. PH, or high blood pressure of the lungs, is caused by the tiny arteries in the lungs becoming narrowed or blocked. The increased pressure in the lungs forces the right side of the heart to pump harder to move blood through the arteries. This stress can lead to heart failure and death. Drs. Clozel are co-founders of Actelion Ltd., a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing treatments for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a rare form of PH, and other uncommon diseases. They will receive the 2016 California Chapter Legacy Award.
“The contributions Drs. Clozel have made to the PH community are vast. Their inspired work has changed the course of this rare disease for people around the world,” said Brad A. Wong, president and chief executive officer of PHA.
PHA connects and empowers PH patients, caregivers and families; healthcare professionals and scientists; and volunteers and donors. The association serves and integrates the multi-faceted PH community through in-person and online support and educational programs; advocacy and awareness initiatives; and funding for the search to find a cure to end PH.
While in some cases, there’s no known cause for PH, the disease can be associated with coronary artery disease, systemic high blood pressure, connective tissue disease, HIV, sleep apnea, sickle cell anemia, liver disease and other conditions. Because symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue and chest pain, the diagnosis often comes too late, as PH is often misdiagnosed as less threatening illnesses. The average length of survival for PAH is only 2.8 years after diagnosis without treatment. With early and accurate diagnosis, 14 available treatments extend and improve the quality of life for many who are diagnosed.
The Evening of Hope Gala honoring Drs. Clozel is made possible with generous contributions from a number of donors, including the event’s title sponsor, SteadyMed Therapeutics, and PHA’s National O2 breathe™ sponsors, Actelion Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., Gilead, Bayer and United Therapeutics Corporation. The event will include a cocktail reception, dinner, silent auction and dancing. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit https://www.PHAssociation.org/California.
About the Pulmonary Hypertension Association:
Headquartered in Silver Spring, Md., the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) is the country’s leading pulmonary hypertension organization. Commemorating its 25th anniversary in 2016, PHA’s mission is to extend and improve the lives of those affected by PH; its vision is a world without PH, empowered by hope. PHA achieves this by connecting and working together with the entire PH community of patients, families; healthcare professionals and researchers. For more information and to learn how you can support PH patients, visit http://www.PHAssociation.org and connect with PHA on Twitter @PHAssociation and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PulmonaryHypertensionAssociation.
###
Jordan Jennings, Pulmonary Hypertension Assoc., https://www.phassociation.org/, +1 (240) 485-0768, [email protected]
Share this article