PHA Team Climbs 31 Flights of Stairs

Team PHA took “flight” at the Fight for Air Climb on Sunday, Feb. 9 at Oakbrook Terrace Tower in Oakbrook, Ill. They showed their support while climbing 31 flights of stairs!

Rosanne Huber was the Team PHA Captain and organizer for the Fight for Air Climb. She formed a team of friends and family to participate on behalf of PHA. Rosanne was able to utilize her Lantos Grant to obtain an information booth for PHA Midwest Chapter. While spreading awareness, Team PHA climbed to the top and came in 6th place overall!

Along with the Feb. 9 event, this opportunity has allowed the Midwest Chapter to secure a booth at the 2014 Healthy Lung Expo on May 2, in Oakbrook, Ill.

Help Carry the Torch for PHA Midwest Chapter!

The XXII Olympic Winter Games kicked off this week, and PHA is excited to light the flame to kick off our events this year! It’s easy to join the team by participating in events, volunteering your time and even hosting your own fundraiser.

The Midwest Chapter is excited to build upon the participation we currently have to grow and support our PH community. We look forward to you carrying the torch and celebrating team successes in support of PHA. Thank you for your support while we keep the torch burning and bring home the gold for pulmonary hypertension!

Upcoming Events

Play PHor A Cure APA 8 Ball Tournament
Springfield, Ill., March 8

ROOL Spin Class - An Evening of "Wine-ing"
Northbrook, Ill., March 13

St. Louis Area Support Group Trivia Night
Maryland Heights, Mo., March 28

View more events

The Year Ahead

"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples." - Mother Teresa

As 2014 begins, we wanted to take this opportunity to start our own ripples here in the Midwest. The Midwest Chapter is the local arm of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, and we are proud to serve this vibrant community as PHA headquarters' "boots on the ground."

The role of the chapter is to assist in spreading PH awareness while helping to fund the vital patient and family services that PHA provides. The Chapter is here to serve and support the Midwest community, and we ask each and every one of you to help us create our ripples in 2014; here is a look at what's already in the works:

EVENT CALENDAR

ROOL Spin Class - An Evening of "Wine-ing"

Northbrook, Ill.

March 13

Play PHor A Cure APA 8 Ball Tournament

Springfield, Ill.

March 8

St. Louis Area Support Group Trivia Night

Maryland Heights, Mo.

March 28

ROOL Spin Class - "Java and Jam"

Northbrook, Ill.

April 12

O2 breathe Stride for a Cure 5k

Glencoe, Ill.

May 4

Take a Breath for PH

DeWitt, Mich.

May 10

Chicago O2 breathe Golf Event

Mundelein, Ill.

June 6

ROOL Spin Class - "Java and Jam"

Northbrook, Ill.

June 14

Steps for Stripes, an O2 breathe Event

Brookfield, Wis.

Sept. 14

Chicago O2 breathe Walk

Palatine, Ill.

Sept. 27

Bank of America Chicago Marathon

Chicago, Ill.

Oct. 12

Chicago PH Gala

Chicago, Ill.

Oct. 25

Please do not hesitate to contact us with ideas on how you would like to make your ripple; we are here to assist you in supporting your fundraising efforts and ideas while asking for your help and involvement with the plans already underway. Together we can make a major impact in the PH community!

Warmest regards,
PHA Midwest Chapter Team

Geoff Gephart, Executive Director

Marcie Hoffmann, Development Director

Welcome to the Illinois Chapter’s Website

The office officially opened in Northbrook, Ill., on Jan 28, 2013, fully staffed with Lisa Beth Gansberg, Executive Director, Geoff Gephart, Development Director and Lindsey Noel, Development Manager.
The Chapter rolled out its presence with a reception at Gino’s O’Hare on January 17, 2013, where over 30 people, including patients, caregivers, medical practitioners and corporate partners attended to learn about the new initiative - the purpose of the Chapter model is to create additional revenue streams through cause-related event marketing to support the National mission.

This team has undergone extensive training on PHA, its history, constituency and the current medical state including quality of care, programs and services available and research. Our combined experience aligns us for success.

The planning is underway to stage over 10 events including: Walks, 6 Minute Marathons, 100 Hole Challenges, a Gala, a Guinness World Record Challenge and a social media appeal.

Going forward, this team is calling ourselves and the office the “PHun PHactory.” We are focused on making a positive change for pulmonary hypertension and developing events that appeal to mass markets for maximum awareness.

Volunteers as well as individual and corporate partners are always invited and welcome. If you would like to join the “PHun” please contact us directly at GetInvolved@IL-PHA.org.

P.S. Keep checking back to see our ever-growing event schedule and opportunities to participate. Get in on the “PHun."

With warmest smiles and helping carry the flame of hope,

Lisa Beth Gansberg
Executive Director, PHA Illinois Chapter