July 2012

It was 8 years ago this month that I was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, a rare lung disease. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs that can lead to heart failure. Symptoms of PH include: shortness of breath with minimal exertion, chest pain, unusual fatigue, dry cough, edema, dizzy spells & fainting. PH has no cure, however, research for new treatments is ongoing. For the past 8 years, I've had a small pump attached to my stomach area that continuously pumps medicine into my body 24/7. Although this medicine and pump can be painful and annoying at times, I'm very thankful that it has made me feel better and it has allowed me to go on with my life. At the time of my diagnosis, I was passing out doing very simple things, like walking & taking a shower. I was told I had a 50% chance of surviving 5 years so I feel very blessed that I'm still here and able to continue to raise awareness for PH.

The Cleveland Area PH Support Group is having their 6th Annual Fun Walk for a Cure and Awareness for Pulmonary Hypertension on Saturday, August 4th. I will be attending this event and once again I will be fundraising for a cure. Many of you have donated before to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association through my fundraising page & I appreciate every penny! Every donation goes towards researching a cure for this life threatening disease. I have PHenomenal hope that a cure will be found one day.

This site is simple & safe & any denomination is a huge gift to anyone suffering from PH. I would greatly appreciate your donation, your thoughts & your prayers in finding a cure for pulmonary hypertension. Please help my phriends & I breathe easier.

 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart (and lungs!),

 

Maria

 

PHA Mission: Our mission is to find ways to prevent and cure pulmonary hypertension, and to provide hope for the pulmonary hypertension community through support, education, advocacy and awareness.

To learn more about PH & the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, please visit http://www.phassociation.org

 

 

11/1/11

November is Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month!  Seven years ago, I was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH), a rare, incuarable & life threatening lung disease in which the blood pressure in the arteries in the lungs elevates, putting pressure on the heart and reducing the amount of oxygen that is able to reach the tissues of the body.  I had never heard of PH before being diagnosed, but if I had, maybe I would have been spared some of the very scary life threatening moments I have had.

To help celebrate Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month, I'm giving away a $200 gift card to Best Buy!  Anyone that donates $10 or more to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association through my Firstgiving page during the month of November will be eligible for the gift card.  The winner will be chosen on December 1, 2011.  The Pulmonary Hypertension Association seeks to increase public awareness, support research, and educate doctors and patients.  To learn more about PH visit www.phassociation.org or just ask me!

Thank you & Good Luck!

Maria Martuccio

9/6/11

It's that time of year again...the CAPHS 5th Annual Walk & Roll is this Saturday & I will be attending again.  The generosity of so many people that have helped me raise over $10,000 for the Pulmonary Hypertension Association means so much to me.  The donations go towards researching a cure for this terrible, life threatening disease.  I would greatly appreciate your donation and also your prayers in finding a cure for pulmonary hypertension. 

To learn more about PH & the PHA, please visit http://www.phassociation.org.  You just might save a life if you are aware of the symptoms of PH!

Thanks again from the bottom of my heart (and lungs)!

God Bless,

Maria

PHA Mission: Our mission is to find ways to prevent and cure pulmonary hypertension, and to provide hope for the pulmonary hypertension community through support, education, advocacy and awareness.

 

 

4/25/11

Race for a Cure

Ciao PHriends! Maria's baby sister, Lucia, here writing to tell you about something I am doing to help raise awareness & raise funds to assist in finding a cure for Pulmonary Hypertension (PH). PH is increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries. These arteries carry blood from your heart to your lungs to pick up oxygen. PH causes symptoms such as shortness of breath during routine activity (for example, climbing a flight of stairs), tiredness, chest pain, and a racing heartbeat. As the disease worsens, its symptoms may limit all physical activity. Today, there is no cure for PH.

On July 15, 2004, Maria (that LIL SOB!) was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Hypertension & was given a 5 year life expectancy. Her entire life has changed since this day, but her attitude remains the same. She is still full of life, love & happiness & shares it with everyone around her. She never complains, ever, & I have seen her struggle with the simplest of tasks we all take for granted.

On May 15, 2011, I will be doing something I never thought I'd do- I am taking part in the Dick's Sporting Goods (Half) Marathon in Pittsburgh. Those who know me, know running was never anything I've ever enjoyed. Let's face it, I hate it! But when the opportunity came to join in the race, I decided to do this to raise awareness for PH in an effort to find a cure for Maria & her PHriends.

Some of you have already been so generous & are familiar with Maria's firstgiving page. As you can see, she's raised over $8,000 in donations to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association!! A world of thanks to you! Because of you, we are steps closer to finding a cure!!

We've had so much success in the past that I would like to continue to fundraise for a cure. This site is simple & safe & any denomination is a huge gift to anyone suffering from PH. We would appreciate your donation, your thoughts & your prayers in finding a cure for this life threatening disease.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts (& lungs!),

Lucia

PHA Mission:  Our mission is to find ways to prevent and cure pulmonary hypertension, and to provide hope for the pulmonary hypertension community through support, education, advocacy and awareness.

To learn more about PH & the PHA, please visit http://www.phassociation.org