Pulmonary hypertension is a serious and potentially fatal lung disease for which there is no cure. It is a condition that affects the arteries of the lungs, hindering the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart. People living with PH suffer from continuous high blood pressure in the lungs, which results in an enlargement of the heart. If left untreated, this will often lead to a weakness of the right-side of the heart, a serious type of heart failure. PH can strike anyone. It typically affects people between 20 and 60 years of age, but PH can also affect children and the elderly.
Learn more about pulmonary hypertension:
- Introduction to PH video series: Click here
- About Pulmonary Hypertension: Click here
- Read The Impact of Pulmonary Hypertension on Canadians, highlighting key findings from the 2021 Canadian PH Community Survey: Click here
- Read stories from the PH community: Click here
How can you help?
1. The Paint Canada Purple Campaign
In Canada, World PH Day is brought directly to communities across the country. Each year members of the PH community encourage their local community leaders to recognize World PH Day by lighting up a local monument purple. Since 2014, thanks to these efforts, monuments have been illuminated in periwinkle purple on May 5th from coast to coast.
If there is an illumination in your city, please take pictures, send them to us and share them on social media. You can also share our social media posts, as well as your own social media posts wearing purple and spreading awareness of PH. Remember to tag us using @PHACanada and the hashtags #PHACanada #WorldPHDay #PHCommunity.
Join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
2. The Socio-Economic Burden of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)
PHA Canada and Canadian VIGOUR Centre have conducted a survey on the socio-economic burden of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The findings reveal significant disruptions to quality of life and major medical and socioeconomic consequences for PAH patients.
We will publish the report on May 5th, for World PH Day. Read the report and share it to raise awareness of the impact of PAH.
3. Participate in the Fight For Our Lives Campaign
Despite promises of $1.4 billion for rare disease drugs, not a cent has been utilized. With countless Canadians facing prolonged waits for diagnosis and treatment, urgent action is needed.
Send a message to your MP and provincial representative today at fightforourlives.ca
Confirmed illuminations and proclamations for World PH Day 2024:
Illuminations:
- Duncan World's Largest Hockey Stick (May 5th)
- Vancouver Sails of Light (May 5th)
- Vancouver Science World Dome (May 5th)
- Vancouver Convention Centre (May 5th)
- Vancouver Olympic Cauldron (May 5th)
- Vancouver BC Place Stadium (May 4th)
- Vancouver City Hall (May 5th)
- Vancouver Burrard Bridge (May 5th)
- Victoria City Hall (May 5th)
- Victoria BC Legislature buildings (May 5th)
- Victoria BC Legislature Fountain (May 5th)
- Whistler Fitzsimmons Covered Bridge (May 5th)
- Calgary Tower (May 5th)
- Edmonton High Level Bridge (May 5th)
- Edmonton Tower, One Properties (May 5th)
- Winnipeg Sign (May 6th)
- Winnipeg Esplanade Riel Bridge (May 6th)
- Fort Erie Peace Bridge (May 5th)
- Burlington Beacon on the Pier (May 5th)
- Hamilton Sign (May 4th)
- Toronto CN Tower (May 5th)
- Sherbrooke City Hall (May 5th)
- St. John's Government House (May 5th)
Proclamations:
- Vancouver
- Victoria
- Nanaimo
- Prince George
- Whistler
- Regina
- Saskatchewan Government
View World PH Day photos and media coverage from past years: