The RAAMftermath – The Event, The Film, The Cause

August 26,2014

largeThey laughed. They clapped. It was the feel-good Team PHenomenal Hope movie of the year.

On August 17, in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh, inside a Melwood Screening Room normally reserved for art films or house-made movies by the education-based Pittsburgh Filmmakers, a crowd of 120 gathered to see two years, four women, 3,000 miles and one indelible journey captured in 23½ minutes.

It was, to many, a moving experience.

The Team PHenomenal Hope Documentary: The Race. The Journey. The Cause. made its debut at a public event attended by an array of people. Team PH and most of its crew were there, of course. Family and members of the PH community came as well, and dozens more watched online via live-streaming. And the rest of the crowd consisted of Team followers or cycling enthusiasts, if not both. The master of ceremonies was a cyclist, too: Sheldon Ingram of Pittsburgh ABC affiliate WTAE-TV and Founder of Uniq Wellness.

After mingling for almost 40 minutes in the Melwood lobby, consuming fruit, cheese, cookies, popcorn and good conversation, the attendees ambled into the theater.  What played before them was footage shot from July 2012 through August 2014. It followed the Team training, in clinic, in the Pitt research lab, through the streets of Pittsburgh, and through then the packing, racing and difficulties of the Race Across America.

large 2Dave Braman of UPMC’s Medical Media was the videographer, editor, producer who oversaw the documentary and was a fixture on the RAAM sojourn. The final product also received assistance from UPMC’s Barry Hogue, Tim Betler, Luise Caster, Lonnie James and Micah Wolf.

Once the applause subsided at film’s end – and make sure you watch for the end-of-credits scene!—Patty, Stacie, Anne-Marie and Ryanne sat down with crew chief Kate Bennett along with MC Ingram to answer questions. They were lobbed queries that ranged from their emotions to their handlebars to a how-to guide to logistics for such a large undertaking. The Q&A alone lasted nearly twice as long as the documentary itself.

And, so the mission itself and the Team’s efforts could never be forgotten, Patty handed special guest Rino Aldrighetti, president and CEO of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, a check for $80,000. And Team PH anticipates holding more events, to continue to raise awareness and funds for PHA.

There are more miles to go.

From Chuck Finder, UPMC Communications (and PHenomenal Crew Member)

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