IPF Awareness Day at Queen's Park

19Sep

In Ottawa our Olympians and Paralympians will be attending the Senate this afternoon to receive the Queen's  Diamond Jubilee Medal. As a country, we are so proud of their hard work and achievements!

Their training and competing efforts mirror the workout and constant struggle of IPF patients and those afflicted with other lung diseases. For those with lung diseases personal tasks, such as showering, shaving and getting dressed become tests of fortitude. Doing laundry or making a bed become impossible - the body can't absorb enough oxygen to do these things, no matter how fast or hard you breathe, even with the assistance of oxygen therapy! The effort required by the body for these tasks, or even to blow one's nose, causes the oxygen saturation level in the blood, to drop sharply into the low 80's or 70's...this can lead to passing out or even stroke as the brain is deprived of much needed oxygen.

Members of the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation are visiting at Queen's Park today to bring awareness of IPF, those afflicted with this chronic illness and the need for funding toward research for possible treatment methods (there currently is no treatment) and eventually a cure!

This morning, the delegates were scheduled to view Question Period and be introduced by MPPs.

A press conference is scheduled for 1:00 pm followed by meetings with MPPs and government officials.

At 3pm delegates from CPFF and OLA will view statements (check the ON Legislative Assembly channel in your area to watch).

Carman and I are looking forward to attending the CPFF reception this evening to meet MPPs and government officials, in hopes that sharing our story will help CPFF bring awareness and in turn, lead to government action on behalf of all Canadians with IPF.