Canadians with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis participate in "six-minute marathon" to raise awareness of rare, but fatal lung disease(1)

Participants encourage others with the disease to learn more and stay active longer

VICTORIA, May 24, 2017 /CNW/ - While many Canadians are lacing up their running shoes this spring to participate in local walks, runs and marathons, people living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) will face a different reality. Pulmonary fibrosis causes irreversible and worsening scarring of the lungs which deprives the body of oxygen², eventually making everyday tasks impossible. For people with IPF, something as simple as a six-minute walk can feel like a marathon.

This month, Canadians living with IPF in British Columbia are stepping up to the cause and participating in a "six-minute marathon" to raise awareness of this rare, but fatal lung disease.¹ The Six-Minute Marathon is also part of the larger international Fight IPF campaign, encouraging patients and their families to continue to stand up to IPF, by learning more about the disease, to help make more informed decisions, enabling them to live for today and keep fighting their disease. Respirologists sometimes use a six-minute walking test to help assess IPF, as well as to monitor how the disease is progressing over time.^3,4

Victoria resident Ray Protti has been living with IPF for more than a year and knows first-hand the impact this disease has on quality of life. Ray has learned the importance of managing the disease – working closely with his doctor on a treatment plan and keeping fit by walking, golfing and strength training to try and maintain lung function, and stay active.^5,6 Ray believes staying informed is key, and to help raise awareness of IPF, the symptoms and the importance of treatment options, Ray will be participating this Sunday in the Kool Oak Bay Half Marathon in Victoria, and is hoping the community will come out to learn more!

WHAT:	IPF awareness – interview/photo opportunity. This is not a fundraising event; Ray is a participant in the Half Marathon event, doing his own "six-minute marathon."
WHEN:	Sunday, May 28 at 7:30 a.m.
WHO:	Ray Protti is available for interviews this week, including May 28.
WHERE:	Windsor Park Pavilion

For more information on IPF, visit FightIPF.ca, a new online hub designed to inform and empower patients diagnosed with IPF and their family members.

About IPF
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) affects an estimated 30,000 Canadians and is responsible for 5,000 deaths each year. IPF is the most common form of PF.² Every year, 6,000 people are diagnosed with PF and this number is expected to increase as the population ages.⁷ There is no known cause of IPF², and by the time symptoms appear, the lungs have already been damaged.⁸ As the disease progresses, everyday tasks such as climbing stairs or getting dressed can become difficult, and eventually, oxygen therapy will be needed.⁸ Typical symptoms include: shortness of breath; a dry, hacking cough; loss of appetite; rapid weight loss; extreme tiredness and loss of energy; chest discomfort; coldness in the hands and feet; and memory loss.⁸ Early diagnosis and treatment can help slow progression of the disease.^5,6

References
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¹ Costabel, Ulrich. The changing treatment landscape in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. European Respiratory Review. 2015;24:65-68.
² Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Patient Information Guide. What is Pulmonary Fibrosis? May 9, 2017. Available at:
http://cpff.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IPF_Guide_2012_Final_V1.1_2015MAY01.pdf 
³ Du Bois, Roland M, et al. 6-minute walk distance is an independent predictor of mortality in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. European Respiratory Journal. 2014;43:1421-1429.
⁴ Du Bois, Roland M, et al. Six-minute-walk test in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2011; 183:1231-1237.
⁵ Canadian Lung Association. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis – Treatment. Accessed on April 19, 2016. Available at http://www.lung.ca/lung-health/lung-disease/idiopathic-pulmonary-fibrosis/treatment.
⁶ Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Patient Information Guide. What You Can Do. Accessed May 9, 2017. Available at:
http://cpff.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IPF_Guide_2012_Final_V1.1_2015MAY01.pdf.
⁷ Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Patient Information Guide. How Many People Have It? Accessed May 9, 2017. Available at:
http://cpff.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IPF_Guide_2012_Final_V1.1_2015MAY01.pdf.
⁸ Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Patient Information Guide. What Are The Symptoms? Accessed May 9, 2017. Available at:
http://cpff.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IPF_Guide_2012_Final_V1.1_2015MAY01.pdf.

SOURCE Roche Canada

or to arrange an interview, please contact: Lisa Cancian, Weber Shandwick, Tel: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]; Michael Kohn, Weber Shandwick, Tel: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]