In January 2018, my world was turned upside down when my Dad was sadly diagnosed with Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. IPF is a progressive, fatal lung disease that results in scarring of the lungs for an unknown reason. Over time, the scarring takes over, making it extremely difficult to breathe, and eventually, the lungs can’t inhale enough oxygen for the body to function. The medium survival is 3-5 years from the time of being diagnosed. With currently no cure, IPF is becoming more common, and there is no way to predict who will get it.

Although this disease seems to remain a mystery, IPF affects 13 to 20 out of every 100,000 people worldwide. With over 150,000 new cases of IPF each year in the United States alone. That’s around 50,000 deaths each year from this disease. And that’s the same amount of people who die from breast cancer, yet nobody seems to know what IPF is.

At St Paul’s Hospital, IPF research is led by Dr. Chris Ryerson, where he and his team lead clinical trials for new medications and are conducting research into other types of therapies, like oxygen. Their goal: to understand IPF and find more effective treatments to prolong and save lives.

As an advocate for IPF patients, I’m thrilled to announce my partnership with St. Paul’s Foundation. I’d love to invite you on this mission to spread awareness, educate others through my PSA passion project, and raise money for research to one day find a cure.

My Dad is currently par taking in clinical trials that costs millions of dollars. Due to the rarity of this disease, there is a massive lack of awareness and funding for IPF.

With every dollar you donate 100% of the proceeds will go towards research. 

To view and share PSA:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfeMtF17BUk&feature=youtu.be

My Interview with Dr. Chris Ryerson on Global News: 

https://globalnews.ca/video/5924172/local-actress-raises-awareness-for-deadly-lung-disease

Thank you,

Gelsea Mae

Social @gelseamae