Kathy Downey

We are excited to welcome longtime PH advocate Kathy Downey as PHA Canada's newest Ambassador!

After attending numerous doctor’s appointments for more than five years, Kath finally set aside her increasing worry of being branded a hypochondriac in March 2020 when she was officially diagnosed with severe idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). Since her diagnosis, Kathy has been feverishly educating anyone who will listen about PH and its symptoms through word of mouth, social media, and radio/TV interviews. She is now quite well known for her purple hair.

Kathy lives in Calgary, Alberta, with a full household, including her husband Don, two adult children, Robbie and Melyssa, her parents, two cats, and Kipper, the dog. Though her diagnosis has changed her life quite a bit, she enjoys getting together with friends and, weather permitting, sitting on her back deck (her “happy place)” knitting when she’s not doing her full-time job of going to doctors, having tests, etc.

It is very important to Kathy to be a part of the PH community and stay in touch with everyone, especially those who have a difficult time or are in the hospital.

Kathy is excited to be a PHA Canada Ambassador and her husband Don as they continue to educate others, especially GPs, about the signs of PH. We hope that others can be spared the precious years they lose while waiting for a diagnosis.