Phenomenal Hope for a Cure will hold its second annual fundraising event to increase awareness of pulmonary hypertension on Nov. 17 at the DC Center, 11830 Stonegate Circle in Omaha.
The event begins at 5 p.m. with a silent auction followed by dinner and program at 6:30 p.m. A live auction with Glen Evert as auctioneer begins at 7:30 p.m.
Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey will serve as honorary chairperson this year with Dave Webber, WOWT sports director, serving 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.
PH affects people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. Due to the common misdiagnoses, it is common for PH not to be recognized until the disease is quite advanced, making it harder to treat.
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 the fundraiser. She taught in the Millard School District for more than 25 years before being diagnosed with PH. She was diagnosed with the disease in July 2005, but was misdiagnosed several times in the preceding two years.
She is the wife of Rod Markin, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of UNMC Physicians, the physician practice group for the University of Nebraska Medical Center. 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 diagnoses 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 dinner and cocktails. 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.
Phenomenal Hope for a Cure is the fundraising arm for the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, which is a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt organization. Contributions are deductible to the full extent allowable by law.
UNMC is the only public health science center in the state. Its educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution. Through their commitment to education, research, patient care and outreach, UNMC and its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, have established themselves as one of the country’s leading centers in cancer, transplantation biology, bioterrorism preparedness, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, genetics, biomedical technology and ophthalmology. UNMC’s research funding from external sources now exceeds $80 million annually and has resulted in the creation of more than 2,400 highly skilled jobs in the state. UNMC’s physician practice group, UNMC Physicians, includes 513 physicians in 50 specialties and subspecialties who practice primarily in The Nebraska Medical Center. For more information, go to UNMC’s Web site at www.unmc.edu.