World PH Day

1. The Paint Canada Purple Campaign

In Canada, World PH Day is brought directly to communities across the country. Each year members of the PH community encourage their local community leaders to recognize World PH Day by lighting up a local monument purple. Since 2014, thanks to these efforts, monuments have been illuminated in periwinkle purple on May 5th from coast to coast.

 

World PH Day 2024 saw 23 landmarks illuminated purple and 7 proclamations issued recognizing May 5th, World PH Day in communities from coast to coast!

 

 

2. The Socio-Economic Burden of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)

PHA Canada and Canadian VIGOUR Centre have conducted a survey on the socio-economic burden of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The findings reveal significant disruptions to quality of life and major medical and socioeconomic consequences for PAH patients. 
 

• Read the report and share it to raise awareness of the impact of PAH.

• Listen the PHaware Podcast featuring Dr. Jason Weatherald discussing the Burden of PAH

 

 

3. PHA Canada holding awareness days on Parliament Hill

On May 6th & 7th, representatives of PHA Canada were on Parliament Hill in Ottawa to raise awareness with officials and parliamentarians of the challenges faced by Canadians affected by PAH and to urge them to move ahead quickly with the provinces to allocate the new funding promised for rare disease medicines through the National Strategy for Rare Disease Drugs. 
 

• See pictures of the event

• ​Watch Marie-France Lalonde recognizing PHA Canada and its advocates and raising awareness of PAH during QP day in the House of Commons. 

• Listen to Jane, one of our PAH ambassadors, tell her story and demand action from the federal and provincial governments to improve care for Canadians affected by PAH.

• Listen to Jennifer, one of our PAH ambassadors, tell her story and demand action from the federal and provincial governments to improve care for Canadians affected by PAH.

 

Thank you to the following government and elected officials for the opportunity to discuss the challenges experienced by our community:

• Francesco Sorbara - MP for Vaughan-Woodbridge

• Tracy Gray, MP for Kelowna - Lake Country

• Ekateryna Nova, Senior Policy Advisory, Minister's Office

• Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia - Senator for Newfoundland and Labrador

• MP Robert Morrissey - Member of Parliament

• MP Vance Badawey - Niagara Centre

• Daniel MacDonald - Director General, Drugs for Rare Diseases, Health Canada

 

These discussions are crucial in improving access to care and treatments for Canadians with PAH. Let's continue to advocate together to make a difference!

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4. Media Outreach

Engaging with the media is a powerful way to amplify awareness about pulmonary hypertension (PH). Effective media outreach can lead to increased public understanding, support, and funding for PH initiatives. 

• Op-ed by PHA Canada Board Member, Dr Sanjay Mehta, published in The Hill Times

• Press release from May 6, 2024

• Article “The severe impact of pulmonary arterial hypertension on Canadians” published in Healthing

• Article “New funding urged for PAH treatment in Canada“ published in Benefits and Pensions Monitor

• Beth Slaunwhite raising awareness of PH on CTV news

• Brin Marks and Jamie Myrah raising awareness of PH on Global News 

• Joan Paulin raising awareness of PH on the "What's with RWE" podcast