New support group created for people diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Quest for Breath and the Martin Edward Galvin Fund have established ongoing source of support for people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Ann Arbor, MI – The Quest for Breath and Martin Edward Galvin Fund have established an ongoing source of support of dedicated professionals for people diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The support group will meet the second Saturday of each month from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the University of Michigan Hospital, room 2C244.

Pin WheelIn the future, patients will be able to hear the speakers and important issue discussions from the meetings on a live podcast and participate in a chat forum on the Quest for Breath Web site, www.questforbreath.org.

Members of the support group committee are Danee Paullin-Kaplan, RN, MSN, CNM, cPNP; Roxane Raffin Chan, RN, MS, CMT; Judy Paullin, RN; Annette Mullet, MD; Julie Hyzy, MA, MSW; and Deb Dahlgren RN, BSN.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or IPF, is a chronic, progressive, scarring disease of the lungs. The cause of the disease is unknown and a cure currently eludes medical researchers. Between 50 percent and 70 percent of patients diagnosed with IPF die within five years of diagnosis.

Quest for Breath, founded by the Martin Galvin Fund, is a grass-roots organization that has provided seed money resulting in $2.5 million in National Institutes of Health grant money for researchers at the University of Michigan Health System to find the cause and cure for IPF. The goals of the Quest for Breath organization are fourfold: to raise money for research efforts, to raise awareness about this seriously under-diagnosed disease, to give hope to IPF patients, and to create a community for families touched by IPF.

If you would like more information or would like to schedule an interview with Roxane Raffin Chan, RN, or Danee Paulllin-Kaplan, RN, please call Roxane at 734-478-0170 or e-mail her at roxchan@comcast.net
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