News
How the SOAR Act Can Help Patients Breathe Easier
After having COVID-19 in 2021, I began experiencing consistent shortness of breath. Everyday activities like gardening started to leave me winded. Numerous trips to the emergency room and doctors’ visits concluded everything from anxiety to longterm-COVID. Until finally, a simple breathing test offered a life-altering diagnosis. I was diagnosed with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1), a…
My daughter shouldn’t have to fight for oxygen | Opinion
Oxygen keeps my daughter Lily alive. Policy holds her back. As a pediatric intensive care unit nurse, I’ve spent my career caring for children with complex medical needs. I thought I understood what it means to navigate the health care system − until my young daughter Lily was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension: a serious condition…
How my Alpha-1 diagnosis led me to SOAR Act advocacy
As a lifelong runner and veteran of the U.S. military, I’ve always thrived on being active and enjoying the interests I prioritize, including traveling and spending time with my wife, children and grandchildren. So, when I first had trouble breathing while mowing the yard and completing my daily tasks, I knew something wasn’t right. After…
All Kansas leaders should join Roger Marshall to help COPD patients breathe | Opinion
In Kansas, there are more than 140,000 people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is a progressive lung disease that causes damage to the lungs and makes it more difficult to breathe over time. I am one of those people. My experience shows the challenges many COPD patients face to access the care…