Phaware was founded by a group of pulmonary hypertension awareness activists. Comprised of patients, caregivers, and medical professionals, phaware is dedicated to elevating their mission by making the public, news media, donors and investors #phaware of pulmonary hypertension.The podcast series "I'm aware that I'm rare" is devoted to raising global pulmonary hypertension awareness with dynamic stories from PH patients, caregivers and medical professionals from around the world.
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Here are all of the episodes of the “I’m aware that I’m rare” series. Scroll through and click the photos to listen to each. Below we have highlighted some of the Canadian podcasts. Click on the photos to go directly to the podcast to listen and read their stories.
Joan Gibson
Canadian pulmonary hypertension care partner, Joan Gibson discusses her daughter Jane’s path to diagnosis, decision to embrace surrogacy, and her road to recovery after two PH related strokes.
Jo-Anne Mainwood
Pulmonary hypertension patient, Jo-Anne Mainwood, is a Canadian school teacher who couldn’t keep up with her students, friends and family. After a long journey of misdiagnosis, Jo-Anne details why PH is not a one-size-fits-all disease.
Jennifer Gendron
On the 14th anniversary of her son’s life-saving lung transplant, Canadian pulmonary hypertension care partner, Jennifer Gendron discusses how the PH landscape has changed over the past 20 years and life post-surgery.
Don Downey
Canadian pulmonary hypertension care partner, Don Downey, discusses his wife Kathy’s road to diagnosis — which was confirmed on Friday March 13, 2020 — the day the world shut down and how they navigated her new normal during lockdown.
Carol Doyle
15 years ago, after the birth of her 2nd child, Canadian pulmonary hypertension patient, Carol Doyle Ploughman was told she had only two years to live. Now, a decade and a half later, on her birthday, Carol discusses how she has maintains a healthy and active lifestyle and the importance of clinical trials for PH patients.
Colleen Carroll
Canadian pulmonary hypertension patient, Colleen Carroll was wrongly diagnosed with severe anxiety and asthma before she ever heard the words “pulmonary hypertension.” Now she faces each day with a positive attitude, a good diet, exercise regimen, and the power of her faith.
Jane Macleod
Canadian pulmonary hypertension and scleroderma patient, Jane Macleod is a retired RN. She discusses reasons for her delayed diagnosis, the importance of pulmonary rehab, and the challenges of living a her new normal.
Vanda McLean
Canadian pulmonary hypertension patient, Vanda McLean was forced into early retirement due to her diagnosis. She discusses how she navigates depression, the importance of support and how she faces an uncertain future.
Kaitlyn Salonga
Canadian pulmonary hypertension patient, Kaitlyn Salonga discusses the impact PH has had on her job, her relationship and her mental wellbeing.
Jane Sernoskie
PHA Canada Patient Ambassador, Jane Sernoskie discusses her pulmonary hypertension diagnosis and becoming a mom through surrogacy.
Jas James
Long-term Canadian pulmonary hypertension and lupus survivor, Jas James discusses survivor’s guilt and the importance of both emotional and physical support from friends, family and fellow patients.
Susan Cosenzo
Canadian pulmonary hypertension patient, Susan Cosenzo discusses her PH diagnosis, the struggles of being a single mom living in government housing and how she overcame alcohol addiction.
Kristine Ritchie
Canadian Pediatric PH Care Partner, Kristine Ritchie, discusses her son Brendan’s 10 plus year journey with pulmonary hypertension, the importance of self-care and the impact PH has on her entire family.
Brin Marks
PHA Canada Ambassador and pulmonary arterial hypertension patient, Brin Marks, discusses her road to diagnosis, her strategies for staying positive and why she wants to be a voice for change for pediatric PH patients everywhere.
Sanjay Metha
PHA Canada Board Director, Sanjay Mehta, MD, on 15 years of inspiring achievements in advocacy, research, and community support for the 2023 National PH Community Conference taking place June 9–10 in Ottawa, ON and what lies ahead for the future.
Nicole Dempsey
Pulmonary Hypertension patient and PHA Canada former Board Chair, Nicole Dempsey, celebrates 15 years of inspiring achievements in advocacy, research, and community support for the 2023 National PH Community Conference taking place June 9–10 in Ottawa, ON.
Stacy Physick
Canadian pulmonary hypertension patient, Stacy Physick was diagnosed with PH in 2011. She immediately got her affairs in order, believing she only expected to survive 1–3 years. Now, 10 years post-diagnosis she shares her journey and her conscious decision to lead a normal life.
Tarya Morel
Canadian pulmonary hypertension patient, Tarya Morel discusses parenting in times of a pandemic.
Derek Henderson
In this episode Derek discusses is road to diagnosis with a rare form of pulmonary hypertension, the mental challenge of PTE surgery and the misconceptions of Canada’s socialized medicine program.