Scleroderma Awareness Philippines (SAP) and Philippine Society for Orphan Disorders (PSOD) held a “Live Life with Strength” launch event to raise awareness on Pulmonary Fibrosis. The event provided patient groups with opportunities to participate in community building, networking, and attend health lectures led by medical partners. The Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations (PAPO) and the Philippine Rheumatology Association (PRA) also supported the event, emphasizing the importance of seeking healthcare and community support. Dr. Mae Campomanes, Chair for the Council on Occupational and Interstitial Lung Diseases, provided insights on ILD and pulmonary fibrosis, enabling patients to better understand their condition and offer management solutions and treatment plans.
“This Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month is an opportune time for us to come together and understand how we can rise above lung diseases. We aim to bolster public health by informing patients of early diagnosis, lung disease prevention, and the best of lung care practices,” said Dr. Campomanes.
Pulmonary Fibrosis, is a type of ILD, a rare disease, caused by inflammation and scarring of the tiny air sacs in the lungs called alveoli. This scarring leads to the thickening of the lung tissue, making it difficult to breathe and absorb the oxygen into the bloodstream. Common symptoms of Pulmonary Fibrosis are dry cough, fatigue, weakness, unexplained weight loss, and shortness of breath.
To date, the available medications and therapies for pulmonary fibrosis are for the prevention of further deterioration of the condition and for the alleviation of symptoms to improve quality of life.
Living life with strength and hope
Live Life with Strength is a regional campaign aimed at supporting patients with pulmonary fibrosis and ILD in their fight against the disease. One of its programs is singing therapy sessions, which are becoming a popular form of pulmonary rehabilitation. Members of the SAP and PSOD collaborated to produce an original song and music video embodying optimism and resilience. The program and song not only provided vocal therapy but also helped patients with lung health, social support, and quality of life. Marissa Pagtalunan, an ILD patient from SAP, shared her testimony, stating that singing has made her life more enjoyable and enjoyable. The collaboration between patients has made their lives more fulfilling and enjoyable.
Boehringer Ingelheim (Philippines) Inc., is a staunch supporter of lung wellness and partner of patients with lung diseases. “We put forth a multidisciplinary approach for diagnosing and treating ILD and Pulmonary Fibrosis. This month, our focus is to spread awareness so patients can have more hope and higher chances for a better quality of life,” said Dr. Greta Cortez, Head of Medicine for Boehringer Ingelheim (Philippines), Inc.
Full video of the song “Live Life with Strength” translated in Filipino can be viewed through the pages of SAP here and PSOD here. Video of the regional Live Life with Strength documentary video can be viewed here.
