MEMPHIS, Tenn., July 16, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A deadly lung disease most have never heard of is lurking in the community and threatening the lives of some well-known Memphians as it has claimed lives of many other people in the Memphis area. Efforts this week will help raise awareness and funding to help find a cure for Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF). Memphis Mayor AC Wharton, Jr. has proclaimed the week as Pulmonary Fibrosis Week Memphis and Congressman Steve Cohen (TN 9) will make a proclamation at a PF Week ceremony on Friday. Veteran sports journalist, George Lapides, who suffers from PF, will also speak at the ceremony at the Memphis Botanic Garden on July 17th at 10 a.m.
"Pulmonary Fibrosis is a tough disease and I want to do all I can to raise awareness and to try and help support efforts to find a cure," said George Lapides.. "I know these current efforts won't help save patients like me today, but I hope they will provide a cure for tomorrow."
The PF Week Memphis ceremony will take place on Friday, July 17th at the Memphis Botanic Garden (see further below for details). Speakers also include, Commercial Bank Vice President Diana Rose, also a PF patient, as well as Rabbi Micah Greenstein, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital lung physician, Dennis Stokes, MD and University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center lung physician, Amado Freire', MD.
On Thursday, July 16th, Commercial Bank will hold a silent auction and fundraising event during business hours in honor of Rose. Rose, who has worked at Commercial Bank for 18 years, was diagnosed with PF in 2013 and may soon be listed for a lung transplant. "My condition is reaching the point that I need more and more oxygen," said Rose. "I am hopeful and I want other patients in Memphis to have that kind of hope."
PF is a rapidly progressing disease that causes relentless and progressive scarring in the lungs. There is no cure for the disease that claims as many lives each year as breast cancer. Most PF patients live three years post diagnosis. Lung transplant is the only known way to survive the disease long term and less than one percent of PF patients are transplanted in time.
The disease recently claimed the life of well-known businessman, Johnnie Dobbs. Courtney Anthony, MD, a pediatric cardiologist at LeBonheur Children's Hospital and Lynda Oxley, a long-time FedEx employee, both died of the disease in 2011.
Memphis Botanic Garden Event: PF Week Memphis Ceremony
What: Event featuring well-known Memphians including Radio Hosts George Lapides and Dave Woloshin, Rabbi Micah Greenstein, Congressman Steve Cohen, Dennis Stokes, MD, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Amado Freire', MD, UTHSC, and Commercial Bank VP, Diana Rose
When: Friday, July 17, 2015, Registration 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.; Program10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Where: Memphis Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry Road, Memphis
Free Donuts and Coffee will be offered and life-sized angel wings will be on display for "selfies".
Commercial Bank Fundraiser:
What: Silent Auction and Awareness Event for Pulmonary Fibrosis
When: Thursday, July 16, 2015, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where: Commercial Bank, 510 S. Mendenhall Road, Memphis, TN
Call: 901-888-2265
The live auction is only at the Mendenhall location, but the location at 2000 Union will also be accepting donations on Thursday. To support the bank's effort, a visit to the bank isn't required. Tax deductible donations can be made via an online giving page at: https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/su-hwang/FightforPF-iho-DianaRose
Proceeds will go to the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF), a non-profit foundation working to find treatments and a cure for PF (http://www.coalitionforpf.org).
Rose and CPF Vice President, Teresa Barnes who also lives in Memphis, started a PF support group in Memphis in 2014. The group meets at the Commercial Bank location on S. Mendenhall. For more information, contact tbarnes@coalitionforpf.org.
Contact: For more information on both events, contact Teresa Barnes with the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis at tbarnes@coalitionforpf.org.
Pivotal Time for Pulmonary Fibrosis Patients
In October 2014, the FDA approved the two first drugs for PF – both on the same day. The drugs are Ofev, made by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, and Esbriet, made by Genentech.
Background on PF and Specialty Centers in Region
PF is growing in incidence and prevalence nationwide, including here in Memphis. At least 200,000 Americans suffer from the deadly lung disease that has no FDA approved treatment and no cure. Currently, lung transplantation is the only life-saving option for patients but fewer than one percent of patients diagnosed receive a transplant in time.
Medical centers specializing in the treatment of PF and in lung transplantation for the disease in this region of the country include Vanderbilt University in Nashville, the University of Alabama in Birmingham, University of Mississippi, Jackson and Barnes Jewish Medical Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
About the CPF
The CPF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2001 to accelerate research efforts leading to a cure for pulmonary fibrosis (PF), while educating, supporting, and advocating for the community of patients, families, and medical professionals fighting this disease. The CPF funds promising research into new approaches to treat and cure PF; provides patients and families with comprehensive education materials, resources, and hope; serves as a voice for national advocacy of PF issues; and works to improve awareness of PF in the medical community as well as the general public. The CPF's nonprofit partners include many of the most respected medical centers and healthcare organizations in the U.S. With more than 28,000 members nationwide, the CPF is the largest nonprofit organization in the U.S. dedicated to advocating for those with PF. For more information please visit www.coalitionforpf.org or call (888) 222-8541.