Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals is launching an awareness and patient support campaign to support those suffering from chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), a type of pulmonary hypertension (PH) that provokes blood clots in the lungs, pulmonary embolism, and causes difficulties in breathing. The campaign includes a three-month photo contest called Breathless Moments, which is meant to increase knowledge on the condition and sharing inspirational moments.
Breathless Moments launched Tuesday, November 18 as a celebration of the first annual CTEPH Awareness Day, a joint initiative from Bayer and the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA). Participants can submit a photo on the BreathlessMoments.CTEPH.com website until February 27, 2015. In addition, participants will also have to answer four questions about the disease. After the submission period ends, a panel of patients will chose the winning photo, which will be used for CTEPH awareness activities such as advertisement in the photographer’s local community.
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“The Breathless Moments contest will encourage people to reconsider and appreciate the positive moments in life that leave them breathless, while learning more about CTEPH,” stated the vice president and head of U.S. Medical Affairs at Bayer HealthCare, Dario Mirski, MD. “CTEPH is a rare and life-threatening condition that can go undiagnosed for years. We hope that, thanks to this campaign, those experiencing symptoms will start conversations with their doctors early on.”
Bayer and the PHA are working to put more of an emphasis on CTEPH during this year’s PH Awareness Month. In addition, the president and CEO of PHA Rino Aldrighetti said that the association was “pleased to support the Breathless Moments contest and Bayer’s work to raise awareness about CTEPH,” since “CTEPH is a debilitating condition that greatly impacts the lives of patients and their loved ones every day.” The association has also created a section on their website dedicated to awareness and education regarding the condition, which can visited here.