I have never in my life assumed that caregiving for a loved one was easy. I also have never been a primary caregiver, meaning the first person providing care to someone who is chronically ill. I have, however, been a temporary caregiver when family members recovered from surgery…
A Reminder that Caregiving Is Hard and a Message of Thanks
Members of an unusual singing group in Bristol, England, are not just having fun, but learning more about their lung diseases. In addition to helping them explore breathing and breathlessness, it’s helping researchers learn about the disorders as well. The group, which includes pulmonary fibrosis patients, is part of a…
Advanced Interactive Response Systems (AIRS), Owlstone Medical and patientMpower are the three winners of the $1 million IPF Catalyst Challenge presented by Three Lakes Partners, a philanthropy organization financing research of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The three winners will receive $333,333 each to develop their projects. Level Ex received the competition’s Audience…
Two years ago today, an inspirational young woman with whom I had the privilege of working for several years passed away. She died of an incurable cancer that no one should ever have to face. While fighting this ginormous battle, she exhibited the most compassion, selflessness, and…
This video from Adam Karm titled “The Best Mom in the World” is all about the Packer family. Thirty-three-year-old Stephanie Packer was diagnosed with diffuse scleroderma in 2012 and now, as a result, suffers from pulmonary fibrosis. MORE: How to better manage your pulmonary fibrosis…
A project that aims to develop a new system to deliver therapies specifically to the lungs of patients with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) was awarded a research grant by the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Medical Innovation. The funding was part of the center’s 2017 Round 2 Pilot Funding Program…
For most people, a new year brings new opportunities and often, a strong desire to bring on changes and try to achieve new goals. Some make those goals about physical changes, while others might look at social goals. Some may choose mental or emotional health improvements, such as striving for…
The IPF Catalyst Challenge is being held in Chicago, Illinois today as nine finalists make their final pitch in a competition for $1 million in funding for innovative, meaningful solutions to improve the quality of life for people living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Among the finalists is patientMpower, a…
As PF patients, we need all the help we can get, no matter where we are in the progression of this disease. Newly diagnosed patients often feel shocked, confused, angry, sad, or anxious, and desperately need information to figure out what is happening to them. It is normal…
Managing a chronic illness can be difficult. There are many different medications to take (often at different times), appointments to remember, symptoms to keep track of, and lots of information to absorb. Thankfully, living in a digital age means that there are numerous mobile apps that can help you…
