Patients and Families Nationwide Take Steps Forward for Pulmonary Fibrosis
Every September, those who have been impacted by pulmonary fibrosis (PF) unite for Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month, presented by the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) to drive awareness of this unsuspected lung disease. As part of these efforts, the PFF is expanding its footprint nationwide during the virtual PFF National Walk Day on Sept. 25.
From California to New York, Texas to Wisconsin, and everywhere in between, patients, families, and friends will unite across the country to take a collective step forward to advance research, advocacy, and awareness of PF. This year marks the five-year anniversary of the PFF’s Walk program, which is virtual this year, and we expect a record level of participation as the PF community walks with their teams to accelerate research and improve care for those with PF.
This year has been particularly difficult for patients like Dot Ivey of Virginia, who has been unable to visit out-of-town relatives due to the COVID-19 pandemic. PFF National Walk Day presents Ivey’s family with a special opportunity to rally around a cause that’s important to them, no matter where they are. “My family loves the energy and connectedness that we feel during the Walk,” said Ivey, “Although we are spread across the world, participating together makes us feel closer.”
The Impact of PF
More than 250,000 Americans are living with pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial lung disease (ILD). These disorders are characterized by varied amounts of inflammation and scarring that damage the ability of the lung to transfer vital oxygen into the blood.
The incidence of PF is on the rise with over 50,000 new cases diagnosed annually, yet, according to the PFF, a vast majority (86%) of Americans are unaware of PF symptoms such as fatigue, a persistent, dry cough, and shortness of breath.
Difficult to diagnose, PF is debilitating and has no known cure. The good news for people living with PF is that there are treatments designed to specifically manage the symptoms of the disease and researchers are studying new ways to halt its progression.
Because pulmonary fibrosis is under recognized, it can take over two years for many patients to get a definite diagnosis. Educating at-risk individuals and the general public about pulmonary fibrosis is essential to help patients receive more timely and accurate diagnoses, and that is our focus not only in September, but every day.
Join Us in September
As part of Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month in September, the PFF and the PF community will provide education about PF to help drive earlier diagnoses, advocate for needed research, and ultimately find a cure.
You can take part in the conversation by using the hashtag #BlueUp4PF on social media. Content including patient testimonial videos, PF facts, and more will be featured throughout the month to further drive awareness of PF.
On September 25, supporters can unite with patients, families, and friends from coast to coast to bring the spirit of the PFF Walk anywhere — at home, at work, or even on vacation. You can walk 5 minutes, 5 blocks, or a 5k to celebrate this momentous milestone. Registration is free, and the walk will livestream on Facebook and YouTube to foster deeper connections among individuals.
National Walk Day will culminate in virtual closing ceremonies at 4 p.m. CT on Sept. 25 on the PFF’s Facebook and YouTube platforms with host Robert Creighton. Creighton, a well-known actor from Broadway’s “Frozen,” “Cagney,” and TV’s “The Good Fight,” lost his mother to pulmonary fibrosis. On Oct. 23, a virtual celebration for those who participated in the Walk will be hosted by Julie Halston, a longtime PFF advocate and Isabelle Stevenson Tony-award winner. She is known for TV shows including “Sex and the City” and the “Gossip Girl” reboot, as well as Broadway’s “Tootsie,” “Hairspray,” “You Can’t Take It with You,” and “Anything Goes.”
Our goal is to galvanize the PF community across the country to make an impact for those living with this devastating disease. Spreading useful information and providing helpful resources will lead to improved early detection and quality of life, so patients can live longer and better lives.
For more information about PF, please visit www.AboutPF.org.
To participate in the walk, please visit www.pffwalk.org.
