Thai Bloom is a proud sponsor of the Portland/SW Washington Pulmonary Hypertension Support Group’s “Thirsting for a Cure.” Held on September 30, 2016 from 6pm to 10pm at the Castaway in Portland, this event will raise awareness of Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) in children and adults.

Willamette and Columbia Valley wines, locally crafted beer, a juice company, and a distillery will offer beverages to delight the taste buds and quench thirst. Guests will also enjoy gourmet hor d’oeuvres and dinner as a part of the event. This special evening will feature a raffle, a vast array of silent auction items in addition to a live auction.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to Adult Research and the Robyn J. Barst Pediatric Research Fund in care of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA). Dr. Barst was a pioneer in the field of pediatric PH and a compassionate caregiver to patients and families. The Robyn J. Barst Pediatric Research Fund was created to honor her legacy and establish mentoring programs for promising pediatric researchers and practitioners.

Pulmonary Hypertension is a very rare, often misdiagnosed disease. The disease results in high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries, making it difficult for the blood to flow through the lungs to pick up oxygen. This condition causes potentially life-threatening consequences, such as right heart failure. Those affected by PH feel as though they are suffocating… because they ARE. With early diagnosis, treatment can improve quality of life while (hopefully) extending longevity. At this time, there is no cure short of a lung or heart-lung transplant; however, through research, we hope to find the cure.