For Anne, research means access to life-changing treatment that is helping her get back to doing the things she loves.
Retired nurse Anne was diagnosed with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) nearly six years ago, after a long and frustrating process of understanding what was causing her so much physical distress and forcing her to give up the things she loves.
PAH is a rare and incurable disease that causes narrowing or blockage of the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lungs. Little is understood about how to diagnose and treat the devastating condition, but research is providing hope that never existed before.
Research has uncovered life-changing treatments that are helping people like Anne get back to doing the things she loves.
The mum of three spent many years sheep farming in WA, which was “very dusty” work, and always kept fit playing softball, squash and tennis.
Anne’s husband passed away when Anne was just 40, so she moved back to Victoria and worked as a nurse for 20 years. It was the early 2000s when Anne noticed she had become more susceptible to colds and would experience a lingering cough, day and night, for months afterwards.
“I was still playing a lot of sport but found myself suddenly breathless, unable to walk 50m without stopping for breath.
“When I was given yet another puffer script, I tore it up.”
Finally, Anne saw another doctor and, after nearly 14 years of unanswered questions, an ultrasound exam revealed PAH.
“Since my diagnosis, many more medications have been developed and many more PAH patients are now living longer. I have been diagnosed for nearly six years and am on three oral medications. After taking part in a drug trial, new medication is now being supplied on a compassionate basis while another drug has been approved that Australians can take orally, rather than intravenously.
“The oral PH meds have made me asymptomatic and I am back to playing tennis three times a week and softball weekly.
“Of course, we are all hoping for a cure.”
Research saves lives and gives hope for a cure. Give hope. Give to research today.
30 Reasons for Research
In celebration of our 30th anniversary, we are highlighting 30 reasons to donate to life-changing lung disease and lung cancer research. For the millions of Australians impacted by these devastating conditions, research means more precious moments with loved ones, a chance to experience their next life milestone, and independence to do the day-to-day activities that many of us take for granted.
Click here to find out more about the research being done courtesy of generous donations.