PH 5K Recap: Kayla Frattini
Wow! We have reached ten years of the PHenomenal Hope 5K in Pittsburgh, PA! What an unbelievable milestone to celebrate within the pulmonary hypertension community and for Team PHenomenal Hope! It has truly been an honor to be Julia Feitner’s successor and be able to plan and coordinate this incredible event for the last six years. I’m so proud that we have taken it from raising $20,000 in year one to over $75,000 a decade later. This event has grown larger than I could ever have imagined and seeing all the lives we have impacted – providing a place of support for those whose friend or family member is battling pulmonary hypertension, a place to grieve for those who lost a loved one to it, and most importantly a place to feel seen and provide hope to those living with pulmonary hypertension, the effects of the PHenomenal Hope 5K can be felt by so many all across this country. In the last decade, the PHenomenal Hope 5K has raised an incredible $373,451 and helped to fund five research grants to help better the lives of those affected by this devastating disease and, ultimately, one day fund a cure.
Being the race director for such an amazing event has been incredible and a role I will cherish for the rest of my lifetime. What began as a few hours each year helping to obtain raffle donations has turned into a passion that has brought me so many new friendships, taught me new skills, and, most importantly, helped me, in my own way, process my own mom’s passing from pulmonary hypertension and personally honor her. While I may no longer have a very close loved one in this fight, I now have several remarkable people who I am fortunate enough to be able to call friends – that motivate me to continue to volunteer my time and talents to such a worthy cause and host this event for the pulmonary hypertension community. I know my mom is smiling down and is so proud of what has been accomplished.
Though I may be the person behind the scenes working to make race day possible, each of you truly brings this event to life year in and year out. From rallying your troops, donating money, sponsoring and providing your patients – who in many cases have long since become friends – with support, to making team t-shirts and showing up on race day, YOU are the heart and soul of this event. Without you, none of this is possible. I cannot say thank you enough for the support you have shown Team PHenomenal Hope and me over the last decade, and I look forward to many more successful years for the PHenomenal Hope 5K. I can’t wait to see all of you on the course in 2024 for year 11!
