Guest blog: PFF presents Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month 2020

In support of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month we are pleased to share a guest blog from the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation explaining the theme for this year’s campaign, and how to get involved. 

September marks Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month (PFAM), presented by the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF). This annual awareness campaign spreads the word about pulmonary fibrosis (PF), a progressive, incurable lung disease with different causes, and affecting more than 200,000 people in the U.S. This year’s theme is Celebrating PF Heroes.

As part of the 30-day campaign in September, the PFF will celebrate a diverse group of #PFHeroes living with PF who are advocating for awareness of this devastating disease. Included are:

• Tom Frey – A World Trade Center first responder who contracted PF following his 9/11 rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero nearly 20 years ago.
• Fred Schick – An avid swimmer, who had symptoms for nearly three years before being diagnosed and now strongly encourages others to advocate for their health and talk to their doctors.
• Melissa Wheeler – A passionate triathlete who, until a recent life-saving lung transplant, completed half marathons with an oxygen tank by her side.

Throughout September, prominent buildings across the country will light up blue for Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month. On social media, the PFF will share “30 Facts in 30 Days” to educate the public about the disease and will post “Portraits of PF,” a series that showcases stories from patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals.

Supporters can wear blue, take a selfie and use the hashtag #BlueUp4PF, or download custom profile photos, timeline images and social content, to spread the word even further. The PFF also will hold its annual PFF Walk—which is going virtual this year—to raise funds for crucial research and programs.

Learn more about the upcoming PFF Walk at PFFWalk.org or donate today here. To learn more about PF risk factors, symptoms and more, please visit www.AboutPF.org.

While over  50,000 new cases are diagnosed annually, awareness of PF symptoms, which include shortness of breath, fatigue and a dry, hacking cough, remains very low for a vast majority (86%) of Americans, according to the PFF*.

You can show your support by engaging with the PFF on social media all month long. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube, and use the official hashtag #BlueUp4PF to raise awareness and share your efforts with the PF community.

About the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) mobilizes people and resources to provide access to high quality care and leads research for a cure so people with pulmonary fibrosis will live longer, healthier lives. The PFF collaborates with physicians, organizations, patients, and caregivers worldwide. The PFF has a three-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Better Business Bureau and National Health Council accredited charity.  For more information, visit pulmonaryfibrosis.org or call 844.TalkPFF (844.825.5733) or 312.587.9272 from outside the U.S.

RepeatDx will also be raising awareness and sharing posts throughout Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. You can find out more about the work we do in pulmonary fibrosis here. 

Sources

*PFF National Awareness Survey 2020: https://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/docs/default-source/marketing-brochures/pff-national-consumer-survey-report—for-review-updated-2-19-2020.pdf?sfvrsn=c479c8d_0