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In Memory of My Mom My Hero My Angel

No one teaches you in life about the loss of a Parent and how it changes your life forever.  My Mother, Violet, passed away on March 6th, 2009 from Pulmonary Fibrosis, a horrible lung disease that literally takes your breath away. 

My Family and I witnessed this crippling disease as my Mother, who had so much energy and strength, that she could outlast even the younger members of her family, deteriorated quickly. She experienced shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing when walking only a few steps, rapid weight loss, and total weakness. This all resulted in the constant use of oxygen to help her live.

My Mother never smoked a day in her life!

Pulmonary Fibrosis is a disease which is often misdiagnosed as Emphysema, COPD, Asthma, or Bronchiectasis, and there is NO treatment, NO cure, and is ALWAYS terminal.  The “average” survival rate is 3-5 years after diagnosis.

This lung disorder is characterized by progressive scarring and deterioration of the lungs which robs its victims of their ability to breathe.  Approximately 128,000 Americans suffer from PF, and 40,000 lives are taken each year from this disease, the same number as breast cancer.

On August, 10, 2013, My family & I will host the 3rd Annual Violet Rippy 5K Walk/Run for PF in my Mother’s honor for the “Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis”, in hopes that a treatment, or ultimately a cure for this disease can be found. Since this disease is so often misdiagnosed, as my Mother’s was, and barely known by the general public, funding for research and awareness is so desperately needed.

Please support my family & I with this mission by making a donation to the “Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis”, or by participating in the 5K Walk/Run, so we can give people with Pulmonary Fibrosis an opportunity to survive beyond the present window that exists.

My Mother was so strong in her fight to live each and every day, and I, along with your help, hope to carry on her strength to others with this lung disorder.

You can also send donations to: Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis c/o Tami Rippy 672 Village Green Blvd. East Mars, PA 16046 #412-445-8330    

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