"My life changed drastically a year ago, as some of you know I was been diagnosed with a disease called Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (IPAH)," says Trudy Seidel.

“It’s a particularly cruel disease, robbing its victims of their very breath”, as described by the Pulmonary Hypertension Association.

"It sounds fairly simple, like high blood pressure which is able to be controlled. The problem is it isn't that simple and it can’t be cured, not even controlled very easily; however, it can be treated," said Trudy.

The more official  medical description is:

"Pulmonary hypertension is a simplified name for a complex health problem—continuous high blood pressure in the pulmonary artery in the lungs, resulting in an enlarged heart which can lose its ability to pump.”

"I was given this diagnosis April of 2012," said Trudy. "The chances of getting PH are about 2 in a million. There's more of a chance to win the lottery or being struck by lightning. Last year, I was at a severe stage 4 and have since been moved to a stage 3, which is magnificent improvement. From what I have learned no two patients have the same situation; meaning the treatments, our medicine cocktails are different, as our side effects for everyone."

See more of Trudy's story HERE.

See more information about the Pray PHor a Cure fund-raiser May 4 HERE.