The Pulse: PHA Canada's e-newsletter

In this issue:

Sad Loss for the PH Community
Easy way to fundraise: Pennies For PH
World PH Day - May 5
Registration Still Open for PH Kids Golf Classic
This Month's Resource tip: Connect with PHers from around the world at the 10th International PH Conference in Orlando
Canadian National Transplant Games
Low-sodium recipe of the month
Latest PH news

Sad Loss for the PH Community

It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of one PHA Canada's founding Board Members and President of the BC PH Society, Elizabeth McCall. Liz passed away quietly in her sleep on, March 27, 2012. Liz bravely fought her battle against PH since her diagnosis in 2000 and was a true leader in the field of PH in Canada. She was the founder of BCPHS and worked with a dedicated group from across Canada to establish what is now known as PHA Canada. She served as a mentor for many people who started support groups throughout the country over the years and used every opportunity possible to raise awareness about PH and to assure that no one felt isolated living with this disease.

Liz (at centre) with BCPHS Board of Directors
at the 2009 PH symposium

As it would be Liz's greatest wish for us not to mourn her passing, but to celebrate her life, a Celebration of Life Memorial will be held in her honor on Saturday, April 7th from 3-7 PM at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 91 at 761 Station Ave., Langford, B.C. What a legacy she has left the province of British Columbia and the national PH community.

Condolences can be directed via email to Liz's close friend and fellow BCPHS Board Member, Margaret Lehmann at marg@bcphs.org and they will shared with Liz's husband Gerry.

Easy way to fundraise: Pennies For PH

Wonderin

g what to do with all of your pennies in light of the Finance Minister's recent announcement of eliminating the penny? Why not donate them to a great cause! "Pennies for PH" has raised funds in the past in both New Brunswick and British Columbia but we would like to see this fundraising initiative spread across the Country! Challenge your friends, family or co-workers to bring in their "Pennies for PH" - you will be surprised at how quickly they add up! This is a great and extremely easy to do fundraising initiative for your workplace, your child's school, your church or social group. For more information on how you can make this a success, contact us at info@phacanada.ca

World PH Day - May 5th 2012

The Asociación Nacional de Hipertensión Pulmonar (ANHP) has created the First World Pulmonary Hypertension Day to raise pulmonary hypertension awareness on a global scale. This event will consist of a Scientific Symposium on May 4, 2012, in Madrid, Spain, followed by the main World PH Day events, a cocktail gala and the ANHP General Assembly on May 5.

To date, World PH Day has been supported by a number of PH and related health organizations worldwide, including: PHA, PHA Europe, Sociedad Latina de HP, PHA Slovakia, PHA Japan, PHA Canada, PHA South Africa, SAPH (Saudi Arabia), PH Israel, PHA Norway, PHA Sweden, PHA Poland, FUNDAVHIP (Venezuela), PHA Hungary, PHA Latvia, EURORDIS, NORD, Federación Española de Enfermedades Raras, European Lung Foundation, American Thoracic Society, Scleroderma Foundation, Sociedad Española de Cardiología, Sociedad de Ruematología and European Respiratory Society.

Leading up to the event, PHA Canada will be asking members of the PH community to change their Facebook status to show support and solidarity on May 5. To learn more about the event on the World PH Day website.

Registration Is Still Open for PH Kids Golf Classic

A reminder that the 1st Annual PH Kids Golf Classic is being held at the Mill Run Golf Course in Uxbridge, Ontario on Saturday, May 12th. The funds raised through the PH Kids Golf Classic will go to support the work of PHA Canada through projects that will assist children with PH and their families through educational opportunities, and a portion of the funds raised will go to the establishm

ent of a Conference Scholarship Fund to allow families the opportunity to attend the 2012 International PH Conference in Orlando, Florida. PH Kids Golf is committed to assisting as many PH Kids as possible to attend this life-changing event.

This wonderful event is being organized by PH Parents Bonnie and Keith Blenkinsop and their committee. The day will consist of 18 holes of golf, prizes, lunch and a grand buffet dinner. There are many ways to get involved by golfing, sponsoring a portion of the event, attending the dinner and more. For more information or to register or sponsor this event, please visit the PH Kids Golf Classic page.

This Month's Resource tip: Connect with PHers from around the world at the 10th International PH Conference in Orlando

In 1990, four women gathered around a kitchen table in Florida and started an organization that would become the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA). PHA has served as the center point of the US PH community's progress toward new research and treatments, increased awareness, education and support for the people who live and work with this disease on a daily basis. In celebration of PHA's 10th International PH Conference and Scientific Sessions, the conference will be returning to the state where the journey began over 20 years ago.

The International Conference is an amazing opportunity to meet and connect with others living with PH from around the world. It is an incredible life changing 4 day educational opportunity and we encourage everyone to attend. As we know that PH can be financially draining and taking a trip to a conference is not always feasible for patients and their families, we would like to inform you that attendance scholarships are available through PHA US and PHA Canada. To learn more about these scholarships visit PHA USA's website here. To request a PHA Canada scholarship application form please email us at: info@phacanada.ca

For more information on and to register for The Power of One: From Kitchen Table to Around the World - PHA 10th International PH Conference and Scientific Sessions, Orlando, Florida, can be found on PHA's website here.

Canadian Transplant Games

This year, the 6th Annual Canadian Transplant Games will be held in Calgary, Alberta from July 16th to 22nd. The Games are open to all transplant recipients

and their families. The Canadian Transplant Games are not focused on elite athletic performance. It’s all about the pure joy of being healthy enough to participate. It’s about meeting other transplant recipients and the camaraderie and friendship that develop from that common bond. The Games are Canada’s largest organ donation awareness event.
The goals of the Canadian Transplant Games are to:

show the country the life that is possible for organ recipients
encourage an active, healthy lifestyle after transplant
raise public awareness and support for organ donation
honour organ and tissue donors and donor families
give hope to the 4000+ Canadians on transplant waiting lists

Registration is now open for those wishing to attend and volunteers are also needed. For more information or to register, please visit: The Canadian Transplant Association Website

For your Easter table: Chili-Glazed Pork Roast
While a traditional Easter Ham is a little too sodium rich for reduced sodium diets, try this great pork roast recipe with a simple rub that gives this pork dinner recipe a wonderful flavor. The sugar caramelizes during roasting to create a glaze. With just 37mg of sodium per serving this one's sure to be an Easter dinner pleaser. Recipe from Diabetic Living.

Chili-Glazed Pork Roast

This recipe makes 8 servings. One serving equals 3 oz of meat.

Ingredients