Victoria Point Sharks Triathlon Club are ‘getting breathless for ph’ while competing in the Ironman Series in Port Macquarie on May 2 to raise awareness for pulmonary hypertension (ph).
Pulmonary hypertension is a rare lung disorder that affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart, which begins when tiny arteries in your lungs, called pulmonary arteries, and capillaries become narrowed, blocked or destroyed.
The club was approached by Vivian McGrath of Redland Bay, who lost her son Alex to the disease 6 years ago, who asked them to wear the logo for Pulmonary Hypertension Association Australia on their uniforms to help raise awareness for the disorder.
“The Sharks club competitors are putting the pulmonary hypertension logo on all their uniforms in good faith for us because of our son,” she said.
“Honestly it brings tears to my eyes because it is giving the exposure to this silent and deadly disease.
“It then brings it to the forefront for people to look at it and ask why have you got that on your shirt.”
President of the Sharks Triathlon Club Melinda Callaghan said the club had 20 people competing in the 2015 series and wanted to help make a difference.
“Anything we can do to help and get the word out,” she said.
“We as a club always love to help out other organisations.”
An Ironman Australia spokesperson said a bell would be situated on the 10km run course loop, which athletes do four times, and as the athletes pass it, they ring the bell for ph.
The Iron Man Series is known to be the toughest sporting event on the planet, but for a person with pulmonary hypertension, every day is like an ironman challenge.
