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Nebraska first lady, Sally Ganem |
The event is held to raise awareness of and funds for helping to find a cure for the rare and sometimes fatal lung disease called pulmonary hypertension. The event begins at 10 a.m. with a silent auction followed by brunch and a program at 11 a.m.
Col. Carl Hicks, chairman of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association’s board of trustees and vice president of advocacy for the PHA, will speak at the event, while Brandi Petersen, KETV Channel 7 news anchor, will serve as emcee.
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a complex health problem of the lungs. It causes continuous high blood pressure in the pulmonary artery in the lungs, resulting in an enlarged heart, which may lose its ability to pump. The disease has been diagnosed in more than 100,000 Americans and thousands more may have it but are misdiagnosed or never diagnosed.
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The early symptoms of PH may include chest pain, breathlessness, low energy, dizziness, fainting, swollen ankles and legs, and bluish lips and skin. One problem is that these conditions can often be attributed to many other disorders. These symptoms also significantly impair a PH patient’s ability to lead a normal life.
Annette Markin is living with PH and also is one of the organizers of this fund raiser. She taught in the Millard School District for more than 25 years before being diagnosed with PH. She was diagnosed with the disease in June 2004, but was misdiagnosed several times in the preceding two years. She is the wife of Rod Markin, M.D., Ph.D., chairman and president of UNMC Physicians, the physician practice group for UNMC. Dr. Markin also serves as senior associate dean for clinical affairs for the UNMC College of Medicine.
“The number one thing we hope to accomplish with this fundraiser is public awareness,” Annette Markin said. “Raising funds to help find a cure is extremely important, but for me, the money takes a back seat. The more people we can reach and educate in the greater Omaha area, the more people who can be properly diagnosed.
“An early diagnosis means better treatment, which in turn means that these people have a chance to continue living their normal lives for as long as possible. Any money we are able to raise will be great, but raising awareness is my main hope.”
Tickets to the event are $30 and include brunch. For more information about the benefit, contact Kathie Starkweather at 402-617-7946 or kathie_starkweather@hotmail.com.
For more information about pulmonary hypertension, visit the association’s Web site at www.phassociation.org.