The Pulse: PHA Canada's newsletter

IN THIS ISSUE:

Conference Registration now OPEN!
May 5th - 2nd Annual World PH Day
Inside PHA Canada: Staffing Changes
Your Community: Upcoming Events!
PH Live on Social Media
Resource Tip of the Month
Low Sodium Recipe of the Month

Conference Registration now OPEN!

We're excited to announce that registration for our 2013 National PH Conference opened on April 1st. This year’s conference will be held from September 20th to 22nd in Ottawa, ON with the theme “Keeping the PHlame of Hope Alive”. We are thrilled with the exciting lineup of guest speakers and presenters that will make up this year’s program, and know that you will be too! The 2013 Conference will offer something for everyone, with sessions for patients, caregivers, medical professionals and family members, as well as an expanded children’s program. Visit phacanada.ca/2013conference to register or learn more about this exciting event! You may also submit your scholarship application electronically.

MAY 5 - 2nd Annual World PH DAY

May 5^th 2013 will mark the second annual “World PH Day”: a fantastic opportunity for PH associations across the globe to raise a collective voice for a greater awareness and understanding of PH. PHA Canada is pleased to be offering our “Lend A Hand” program to mark this important date. If you wish to celebrate World PH Day in your community, contact us at info@phacanada.ca and we can help you to organize your own event or activity. We hope to break last year’s record of 1964 handprints by collecting over 2000 handprints in 2013. All of the handprints collected this year will be proudly displayed at our upcoming 2013 National Conference in Ottawa. To learn more about worldwide events in honor of World PH Day worldwide, visit the official World PH Day website at www.worldphday.org

Inside PHA Canada: Staffing Changes
In March, PHA Canada bid farewell to our Communications Associate Corinne Crichlow who had worked with us since September 2012. Corinne made several fantastic contributions to our communications, including the re-design of our new “Connections Magazine” and the design and implementation of our Annual Report. We wish Corinne the very best of luck with her future endeavors.

With Corinne’s farewell, we welcome Bronwyn McBride to the PHA Canada team. Bronwyn holds a great deal of experience in the non-profit world. Although originally from Vancouver, Bronwyn spent 2 years (2010-2012) in Mumbai, India where she worked first as an intern and then employee for a non-profit organization called Atma, whose mission is to create quality educational programs for underprivileged children. At Atma, Bronwyn was responsible for all communications including printed and online marketing materials, annual reports and newsletters and the organization’s website, blog and social media strategy. Bronwyn is fluently bilingual, having completed French immersion with an IB French diploma. She is currently studying psychology and communications at Simon Fraser University and is thrilled to contribute to PHA Canada’s communications.

Your Community: Upcoming Events!

As our membership continues to grow, we're excited to see new events and activities being held by our members across Canada. Below are the events taking place over the next few weeks.

Pampered for PH
Pampered for PH on is being hosted by PHA Canada Board Secretary & EPAHS President, Lynn-Marie Cox. On April 14th, Lynn-Marie will celebrate her birthday by hosting a Pampered Chef party, with all proceeds supporting PHA Canada. Lynn-Marie has also set up a link on the Pampered Chef website so that anyone across Canada can order. To order, visit www.pamperedchef.biz/raskkitchen, click “shop online” and enter Lynn-Marie Cox’s name. This will ensure the proceeds will be donated to PHA Canada. Lynn-Marie’s goal is to raise a total of $500 for PHA Canada!

6 Minute Walk and Family Fun Day at the Greely Legion
Join organizer Elaine Goodhue and the PH Community at the Greely Legion for their 6 Minute Walk for Breath and Family Fun day! Their event will run from 12PM to 6PM on Sunday, May 5th:World PH Day. Find all of the event details at: http://www.phacanada.ca/en/news-and-events/events-calendar1/2013-05-05-6-min-walk-and-family-fund-day/. If you live in the Ottawa/Greely area, this event is also a fantastic volunteer opportunity to give back to your PH community. Sound equipment is also needed for the day. For more information, to volunteer or to lend sound equipment, write to Elaine at egoodhue@aegisys.com

1^st Annual Cornwall Stride for Breath 5km Run/Walk
A new annual event will be initiated this month by Shawna Brinkworth in Cornwall, Ontario. The first Annual Cornwall Stride for Breath 5KM Run/Fun Walk is inspired by Shawna’s brother Brandon: a PH patient. This event is open to anyone wishing to participate: registration is open at phacanada/CornwallWalk. Sponsorship opportunities are available! For more, write to Shawna at sbrinkworth@open-hands.ca

Breathers United Advocacy Academy
On May 6th 2013, the Ontario Lung Health Alliance will host another Advocacy Academy. The training will take place at Queen’s Park from 1 – 4PM. Breathers United Advocacy Academy is a fun, fresh introduction to advocacy for individuals living with lung disease and others interested in advocating for lung health directly with their MPPs. The first round of Advocacy Academy was extremely well received by the diverse group of participants! To avoid disappointment, reserve your spot by contacting eharvey@on.lung.ca by April 15, 2013.

Supper and Beer Tasting in Vancouver
The PH community in Vancouver has an exciting event to look forward to: a supper and beer tasting at Steamworks restaurant! The beer tasting will take place on evening of May 4th, and further details are to follow. If you’re interested in tickets, write to us at fundraising@phacanada.ca

PH Live on Social Media
Did you know that the PHA Canada “I Dream” Video inspired a PH organization in Brazil to create their own version of the video? That’s right: our campaign featuring the dreams of those across Canada affected with PH inspired another meaningful video by PH patients in Brazil. See the video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll1YcrC0OHU

In addition to the Brazilian “I dream” video, individuals associated with PHA Europe have produced a song about living with PH. The music video for this song will premiere later this year. We at PHA Canada are excited about all of these PH initiatives on social media. If you know of any others, please send them our way!

Resource Tip of the Month
Did you know that if you’re organizing your own PH awareness or fundraising event, PHA Canada can help you to set up a website? That’s right: because PHA Canada is dedicated to our community, we want to do everything we can to help make your PH event a success. A website helps to manage registration and donations for your event, and also boosts its credibility. We recently helped Shawna Brinkworth by creating an event website for her Cornwall Stride for Breath walk: click here to see the page. Pages can be customized to allow for participant registration, ticket sales, and even for participants to set up their pledge pages. Best of all, PHA Canada does all of the work for you. Write to us at fundraising@phacanada.ca to create your own event website!

Low Sodium Recipe of the Month
As we move towards spring, we’re enjoying lighter and fresher recipes. Try out this delicious low sodium dip, with crackers or vegetables!

Ingredients:

1 bunch kale, stems and tough ribs discarded, leaves sliced
1 small onion, sliced
4 cloves garlic
3/4 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1 lemon, Juice and zest of
1/4 teaspoon sea salt (optional)
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste

Method: In a saucepan, combine kale, onion, garlic and 1/4 cup water. Set over medium heat, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender: about 12 minutes. Transfer vegetables and any liquid in the pan to a food processor and let cool a few minutes. Add ricotta, lemon juice and zest, salt and cayenne. Process until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and serve.

Nutritional Info: PER ¼ cup SERVING: 40 calories, 0g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 120mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate, 1g dietary fiber, 1g sugar, 5g protein
Recipe modified from: wholefoodsmarket.com/recipe/lemon-ricotta-kale-dip