Media Advisory - Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month - 6-minute Walk for Breath - Vancouver, British Columbia

VANCOUVER, Oct. 24, 2012 /CNW/ -

PULMONARY HYPERTENSION AWARENESS MONTH - 6-minute Walk for Breath

November is Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month in North America. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is an incurable lung disease. Treatment may include expensive drug therapy, lung transplant or heart- lung transplant. The Pulmonary Hypertension Association of Canada (PHA Canada) has organized an Awareness Month 6-minute Walk for Breath to be held on November 1, 2012 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (PDT) at the Vancouver Public Library at 350 West Georgia Street. This will be the first of several similar events being held across Canada this November.

The 6-minute walk test is a standard PH test which measures the distance that a patient can walk on a flat, hard surface. The test is designed to assist in evaluating PH patients. In order to educate participants about PH, PHA Canada will provide participants with companion sheets that outline symptoms at specific markers during the event. Participants may walk the 6-minute route several times to raise funds for PH.

PHA Canada is a charitable organization established by patients, caregivers, parents and family members. PHA Canada's mandate is to create awareness about PH and develop communities of knowledge and support. PHA Canada's sincere hope is that its work will assist in early diagnosis of PH and increase patient chances for managing the disease.

DATE: November 1, 2012
TIME: 11:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. (PDT)
LOCATION: Vancouver Public Library, 350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia
PARKING: Street parking.

For more information about Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month and event schedule, visit www.phacanada.ca

SOURCE: PULMONARY HYPERTENSION ASSOCIATION OF CANADA

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Angie Knott, National Manager - Pulmonary Hypertension Association of Canada
Telephone: [phone] E-mail: [email protected]