The Let Me Be Your Lungs Program: Letter from the Director

May 20,2021

We are officially in the thick of racing season! After a year of cancelled races, we are ecstatic to see members of our endurance program returning to in-person racing while representing Team PH and advocating for the pulmonary hypertension community. We have some major upcoming events that we hope inspire you like they inspire us!

Last week, Harold Laudien completed the Keys 100 Ultra Marathon in 25 hours and 53 minutes! Harold shared with us, “This weekend was one of the most challenging physical challenges I have experienced. PH patients face challenges on a daily basis so as I continue to check off these races which are of my choosing I continue to remember I am blessed to have that choice. I try to put myself in the best position possible to shine a positive light on Team PH and I believe I did that this past weekend. I told so many runners about the organization, why I participate in the Let Me Be Your Lungs program with my partner, Kirsten Braley. It makes an impact on people…and even helps give them motivation in the moment.”

Harold next takes on the IRONMAN Tulsa on Sunday, May 23rd. You can support Harold and Kirsten here.

Kathleen Richardson is celebrating 20 years since she was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension! To mark the anniversary, she is riding the Empire State Trail from Buffalo, NY to New York City starting June 6th until June 17th. Her endpoint will be Columbia Presbyterian Hospital where she started treatment and follow ups for her PH. Kathleen is not only riding for herself, but also in memory of PH patients who are no longer with us. You can support Kathleen and follow her on her journey here.

Our fearless leader, Dr. Patty George, is excited to be back at it on her new fat tire bike, this time 18 Hours of Fruita, which she describes as more than just a bike race. Read about Patty’s race and training here.

Are you motivated yet? Are you dusting off your running shoes or pumping the air in your bike tires and getting back into your run/walk/bike routine? Join our endurance program and use that time to raise awareness for PH. Head to teamph.org/join or reach out to our program manager at katie@teamphenomenalhope.org to get started or learn more today! June is exercise month so it’s a great time to get started and join our team.

It’s race week! The 8th Annual PHenomenal Hope 5K is this Saturday, May 22. This event is the biggest funder of our PHenomenal Impact Fund for Global PH Research. Even if you cannot attend the 5K in person, you can register for virtual participation and make a donation to support our research fund. Organizer Kayla Frattini and her crew of volunteers have been hard at work making this a successful and safe event. Find event details and make a donation here.

Save the date! Saturday, July 17th we will host the second annual Team PH virtual Research Town Hall. We look forward to discussing the newest research with the PH community and announcing our 3rd annual award winner of the PHenomenal Impact Fund for Global PH Research. Stay tuned for more details and registration information.

At Team PH we are very grateful for your support and the support of our corporate sponsors and we are very excited for our future in serving the PH community. We appreciate each of you. You may make your donation online at teamph.org or by check to Team PHenomenal Hope, P.O. Box 1115, Beloit, WI 53512. *If you would like to learn about giving options such as stock transfers, IRA rollovers, and other tax advantaged giving, please contact me directly at linda@teamphenomenalhope.org.

Linda Appleby
Executive Director
Team PHenomenal Hope

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