Posted on March 9th 2022
PRESS RELEASE | 9th March 2022
Staff from the Royal Hallamshire Hospital will tackle the hills of the Sheffield Half Marathon for a rare disease charity close to their hearts.
Eight healthcare professionals from the Sheffield Pulmonary Vascular Disease Unit, based at the hospital, are training for the event on 27 March in aid of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA UK).
The ‘Hallamshire Heroes’ team is made up of doctors, nurses and technicians who care for people with pulmonary hypertension (PH), a life-limiting lung condition that also affects the heart.
Dr Charlie Elliot is a respiratory consultant at the unit, which is one of just six specialist PH treatment centres in England. He said: “Every day we see how much this condition impacts the lives of our patients and we wanted to do something to help the charity that supports them. Some of us have been running for a while and some are beginners – but none of us are looking forward to the long uphill stretch of the event!”
Dr Elliot will run the 13.1 miles with fellow consultant Dr Robin Condliffe, ward manager John Harrington, ward sister Charlotte Peirson, clinical nurse specialist Amanuel Teklesenbet, pharmacy technician Mark Graves, and junior doctor Rosie Oatham. They will be joined by Maria Kiely, daughter of the Sheffield Pulmonary Vascular Disease Unit’s director, Professor David Kiely.
Dr Elliot added: “Training around busy NHS schedules can be difficult, and the event itself will be tough, but if it means we can raise some money for the PHA UK it is well worth it. Just a couple of hours of discomfort on the lovely hills of Sheffield is the least we can do for them.”
The Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA UK), is based in Chapeltown and works nationally to support the 8,000 people in the UK affected by pulmonary hypertension.
Pulmonary hypertension is caused by the thickening and stiffening of the blood vessels supplying the lungs. The life-limiting condition has no cure but can be managed with specialist care.
You can sponsor the Hallamshire Heroes here.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Image shows members of the Hallamshire Heroes Team, L-R: Charlotte Peirson, Dr Charlie Elliot, and John Harrington of the Sheffield Pulmonary Vascular Disease Unit.
Media contact: Mary Ferguson on 07496 872142 or at media@phauk.org
About the PHA UK
The PHA UK is based in Chapeltown and works nationally to support people affected by pulmonary hypertension (PH).
The organisation now has 4,500 members and as well as providing information, support and advice, it funds medical research and health education initiatives to promote better awareness, diagnosis and treatment of PH.
It is a registered charity no: 1120756.
About pulmonary hypertension (PH)
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a rare, serious condition caused by the thickening and stiffening of the blood vessels supplying the lungs (pulmonary arteries).
The reduced blood flow makes it harder for the right side of the heart to pump blood through the arteries, which can result in heart failure.
The main symptom of pulmonary hypertension is breathlessness. Other symptoms may include dizziness, feeling faint, swelling of the feet or ankles, and chest pain (particularly during exercise).
People can be born with pulmonary hypertension or develop it at any time, and it can affect anyone, regardless of age or ethnic background. It affects more women than men.
Thanks to a range of highly advanced treatments developed over the last 20 years, people with the condition have seen quality of life improve and life expectancy increase to around six to seven years on average. Many live longer, but there is no cure.
For further information about pulmonary hypertension visit www.phauk.org, call the PHA UK office on 01709 761450 or e-mail office@phauk.org.
