So, did you think I was abducted by aliens?

I can't believe it's been so long since I updated this blog! As some of you know, I've been a little preoccupied with our 3rd fundraiser for pulmonary hypertension. I was very pleased with how well things went. Here is a copy of what was written in the newspaper:
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Nebraska's first lady, Sally Ganem, served as honorary chairwoman of the third annual "Phenomenal Hope for a Cure" fundraising event Saturday morning at the DC Centre.

The event, held to raise awareness of and funds for finding a cure for the rare and sometimes fatal lung disease pulmonary hypertension, drew more than 150 people and raised nearly $30,000.

Ganem presented a proclamation, signed by Gov. Dave Heineman, declaring the month of November to be Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month in Nebraska.

Col. Carl Hicks, chairman of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association's board of trustees, spoke about his daughter Meaghan's personal journey, from being diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension in 1994 to having a lung and heart transplant in February 2007.

Brandi Petersen of KETV-Channel 7 served as the emcee, with Monty Meusch as auctioneer.

Pulmonary hypertension causes continuous high blood pressure in the pulmonary artery in the lungs, resulting in an enlarged heart, which may lose its ability to pump. The disease has been diagnosed in more than 100,000 Americans and thousands more may have it but are misdiagnosed or never diagnosed.

Annette Markin, one of the organizers of Saturday's fundraiser, taught in the Millard Public Schools for more than 25 years before being diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension in June 2004. She was misdiagnosed several times in the preceding two years.

"The No. 1 thing we hope to accomplish with this fundraiser is public awareness," Markin said. "Raising funds to help find a cure is extremely important, but for me, the money takes a back seat. The more people we can reach and educate in the greater Omaha area, the more people who can be properly diagnosed.

"An early diagnosis means better treatment, which in turn means that these people have a chance to continue living their normal lives for as long as possible. Any money we are able to raise will be great, but raising awareness is my main hope."

For more information about the disease go to www.phassociation.org.
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And here are some pictures:

Here are three members our Periwinkle committee:


Two PHriends who are also on the Periwinkle committee:



The man in the middle had a double-lung transplant 18 months ago! The other man is my PH doctor, Dr. Austin Thompson.


"Me and My Shadow!" Actually, me and my sister!


My husband, Carl Hicks, Sally Ganem (Nebraska's First Lady) and myself.


Sally Ganem brought along the proclamation signed by her husband, the Governor, proclaiming that "November in Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month in the state of Nebraska!" It was also wonderful to see the increased participation by our phriends, both local and from all over the United States and Canada! Last year we had 14% of the silent and oral auction items donated by phriends. This year it increased to 33%!

Thanks so much for reading!

Annette