The LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing Alumni Association will hold the 4th Annual Mudbug March to "stomp out" pulmonary hypertension on March 4. The event, which includes a one-mile walk, a silent auction, music, and food, will take place at New Orleans City Park Peristyle. Registration begins at 9 a.m., and the walk starts at 10 a.m.
The purpose of the event, honoring the memory of Chelsea Umbach Yates, is to raise awareness of pulmonary hypertension and to educate patients about the importance of taking care of themselves. Chelsea was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension when she was 15 years old. Despite the disease, Chelsea excelled academically, worked, and married. Her struggle with the disease lasted 11 years and included a heart-double lung transplant. She died suddenly on July 17, 2011, after contracting an infection that her immune system couldn’t overcome.
The schedule of events for the Mudbug March includes:
9 - 9:30 a.m. – Registration
9:30 a.m. – Opening remarks
9:45 a.m. – Disco Amigos to warm up participants
10 – 10:30 a.m. – Walk
10:30 a.m. – 12 pm. – Celebration and Silent Auction
According to the National Institutes of Health, pulmonary hypertension, or PH, is increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries. These arteries carry blood from the heart to the lungs to pick up oxygen. PH causes symptoms such as shortness of breath during routine activity (for example, climbing two flights of stairs), tiredness, chest pain, and a racing heartbeat. As the condition worsens, its symptoms may limit all physical activity. PH has no cure. However, research for new treatments is ongoing. The earlier that PH is treated, the easier it is to control. Treatments include medicines, procedures, and other therapies. These treatments can relieve PH symptoms and slow the progress of the disease. Lifestyle changes also can help control symptoms. The exact number of people who have pulmonary hypertension (PH) isn't known. PH usually develops between the ages of 20 and 60, but it can occur at any age.
The Mudbug March is sponsored by the LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing, the LSU Health Foundation New Orleans, Bayer, Gilead, Tulane Lung Center, Harry’s New Orleans, and University Medical Center.
Forty percent of the proceeds will support the Pulmonary Hypertension Association's efforts to provide improved patient care, expand medical research, and disseminate the latest information to the PH community. The remaining 60% of proceeds will provide further education and awareness of PH to future LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing graduates who will provide nursing care to patients with PH in a variety of clinical settings.
To register and learn more, visit .https://give.lsuhealthfoundation.org/mudbugmarch2018.