Walking Warriors - Honouring Mum - Memorial fundraiser for PHAuk

Hi my name is Sami. Thank you for reading this, it is incredibly difficult to write.

Myself and a group of family and friends will be taking part in a memorial charity walk, in honour of my Mum on the 27th July 2025. We are doing this to raise money and awareness for the one and only charity for Pulmonary Hypertension (PHAuk) with the hope that the money raised will help towards research for a cure for the disease.

Over the last couple of years, Mum began having breathing difficulties and in February 2025 was diagnosed with the incredibly rare health condition called 'Pulmonary Hypertension', which was linked to another rare illness called 'Systemic Sclerosis'.

During the initial treatment in Sheffield and after Mum's diagnosis, I knew that I couldn't physically make her better, but I wanted to try and help somehow and in someway, so as Mum was very much into charity work and loved giving money for a good cause, I suggested the idea to undertake a fundraiser charity walk. In addition to raising money, I also want to raise awareness for Pulmonary Hypertension.

Throughout Mum's treatment, we encountered many Doctors and Nurses that had never heard of the condition, and these were some of the reasons given for Mums symptoms:

- It's your fitness

- It's your anxiety

- It could be a nasty chest infection

- It's your reflux

- You're not moving about enough

There are a lot of lessons to be learnt by the NHS. Sadly like many others with PH, Mums diagnosis was far too late. One of the big findings in research about Pulmonary Hypertension is that it often takes approx. a year for diagnosis, which is not quick enough. It was only by chance that one doctor said nearly a year and half down the line that it could be a link to Pulmonary Hypertension.

Mum had the most advanced Pulmonary Hypertension and she had the auto immune disease called Systemic Sclerosis which works against treatments for Pulmonary Hypertension. She suffered the symptoms of this illness for a couple of years, especially since October 2024 and after a good fight and with the best treatment they could give her, we very sadly lost Mum on the 4th May 2025.

To me this charity walk now has a lot more meaning, and I hope that through our fundraising, it will help others to not go through the ordeal that my Mum has. PH is one of the rarest illnesses in the world, even many medical professionals don’t recognise it soon enough. We want to change that. Awareness saves lives. Early diagnosis gives hope. Research leads to cures.

The walking venue was chosen by my Mum as part of one of the last conversations that we had - The Long Mynd, Carding Mill Valley in Church Stretton (Shropshire hills).

Distance – Approx 10 miles

Date of walk - 27th July 2025

Whether you join us in spirit, on the trail, or with a donation, your support means everything.

We truly appreciate any donations that we receive, and if you can please share this page with friends and family to help us raise awareness of Pulmonary Hypertension.

We hope to make you proud Mum.

Kind regards,

Sami x

Some further information about Pulmonary Hypertension and Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK:

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a rare condition that causes high blood pressure in the blood vessels connecting the heart and lungs (the pulmonary arteries). PH is a serious medical condition, and should not be confused with hypertension (high blood pressure). It affects people’s abilities to carry out basic tasks and get around, and it can affect their emotional wellbeing too. People with PH often look well at rest and it’s only through a simple activity such as climbing the stairs that they may experience symptoms including breathlessness, chest pain, and fatigue. PH can also cause blackouts (fainting) and swelling in the ankles, arms, or stomach area.

The PHA UK is a unique national charity aimed at supporting those that are affected by Pulmonary Hypertension. We do this through advocating, supporting research and working with stakeholders such as the NHS to push forward.