Mudbug March to Stomp Out Pulmonary Hypertension

The LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing Alumni Association will hold the 3rd Annual Mudbug March to stomp out Pulmonary Hypertension on Sunday, March 5, 2017 at the New Orleans City Park Peristyle. The event will include a 1-mile Fun Walk, a silent auction, a disco dance party, entertainment by the Disco Amigos, food and libations, as well as face painting and a disco costume contest for the kids. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m., and the walk starts at 10:00 a.m. The $35.00 donation also includes a t-shirt.

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.

According to the National Institutes of Health, pulmonary hypertension, or PH, is increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries. These arteries carry blood from your heart to your 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.

Mudbug March is sponsored by the LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing, LSU Health New Orleans Foundation, University Medical Center, Tulane Lung Center and Harry’s Dive Shop.

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/mudbugmarch2017.

“Put on your favorite disco attire and get ready to boogie down,” says event organizer Todd Tartavoulle DNS, APRN, CNS-BC, Program Director for Traditional BSN Program and Adult Gerontology CNS Program at LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing.