PULMONARY FIBROSIS AWARENESS MONTH

PULMONARY FIBROSIS AWARENESS MONTH

Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month in September makes a concentrated effort toward spreading knowledge, increasing activities, support, and funding for those affected by this life-altering disease.

#PFAwarenessMonth

Also known as PF, Pulmonary fibrosis is a group of devastating lung diseases that cause scarring in the lungs. The scarring limits the oxygen intake necessary for the brain, heart, and other organs to function.

Symptoms include a dry, hacking cough and shortness of breath. PF affects over 200,000 Americans and is difficult to diagnose. Misdiagnosis is not uncommon. There are also 50 thousand new cases diagnosed each year.

While there is no cure, research is underway. The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) national registry, the PFF Patient Registry, has reached its target enrollment of 2,000 patients from across the country. Researchers will use the data in the Registry in studies that will lead to a better understanding of how to diagnose, treat and eventually cure the disease.

Awareness of pulmonary fibrosis is on the rise. From Broadway to the gridiron, members of the PF community everywhere are stepping up to battle the disease. One notable person working toward finding a cure is actress and comedienne Julie Halston, who annually hosts the best of Broadway in “Broadway Belts for PFF!” in New York City. Performers pay tribute to Michael Kuchwara, former theatre critic for the Associated Press, who passed away from the disease in 2010.

In addition, Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard joined the fight against PF in 2016 by becoming a spokesperson for the Foundation and launching fundraising initiatives. Howard’s father, Reginald B. “Doc” Howard, succumbed to PF at age 52 when Jordan was only 12 years old.

HOW TO OBSERVE Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month

You can celebrate PF Awareness Month by:

• Going blue for pulmonary fibrosis. Show your support to those living with PF. Share a selfie while wearing blue clothes, painted nails, or even blue hair. Post your selfie on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtags #BlueUp4PF and #PFAwarenessMonth. Be sure to tag @PFFORG in your posts.

• Join a PF event near you. Whether it's a walk, run, hike, or bike along a trail, raise awareness and funds while enjoying the month of September. Build a team, walk individually, volunteer or donate to help support research in the fight against the disease.

• Host a blue bake sale, blue jeans day at work, athletic event, or trivia night.

PULMONARY FIBROSIS AWARENESS MONTH HISTORY

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation founded Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month in 2012 to unite the pulmonary fibrosis community and raise awareness and funds for a cure for this deadly disease.

The Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month to be observed every September beginning in 2017.