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Basket bingo to benefit two Scout leaders with illnesses

By SHARI SANGER
Evening Sun Reporter

June 10, 2005 - Pam Peck knew it was just a matter of time. The disease that claimed the lives of the Hanover woman's sister and father has now turned her own life into a daily struggle.

As were her family members before her, Peck has been diagnosed with primary pulmonary hypertension - a rare lung disorder in which the blood pressure in the pulmonary artery rises far above normal levels for no apparent reason.

It forces the heart to work much harder, Peck explained.

The 41-year-old can't remember the last time she went shopping or for a walk because she loses her breath so easily. She gets dizzy spells and has trouble walking up and down stairs. She gets stressed and tires quickly.

Peck has been unable to return to her job as an emotional support teacher at Hoffman Homes between Littlestown and Gettysburg.

"My disease has totally changed my life," she said.

Her condition began in December, about two weeks before Christmas.

And since February, she has been unable to help with her Daisy Girl Scout troop at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Hanover.

"I really miss everything. I'm just waiting for the day I can get back and involved in things again," Peck said. "It upsets me, but I'm determined my disease is not going to control my life. I'm going to control my disease."

Her sister and father weren't so fortunate.

Her sister, Kim Peck, was 24 when the condition claimed her life some 20 years ago, Peck said. Doctors diagnosed her with everything but PPH and when they finally discovered what it was, medicine had to be shipped from New England.

Kim died one day before the medication reached her, Peck said.

Her father, James Peck, died of the same disease eight years ago at age 57. Other complications, including diabetes, worsened his condition, Peck said.

Peck also had a brother who died at 6 months old. Doctors said the boy more than likely had PPH, Peck said.

Her mother, older sister, younger sister and younger brother have no trace of the disease.

With PPH well-known in her family, Peck knew what she was up against. But that didn't minimize the shock she felt when she was diagnosed.

"Before August I was doing fine ... and all of a sudden everything was taken away from me," she said. "I knew it was going to happen. It was just a matter of time."

Years ago, doctors gave patients with pulmonary hypertension two years to live. Now, it's five or more years, Peck said.

Peck gets the pressure measured in her heart and lungs and travels three hours for monthly visits at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where doctors monitor her condition.

She takes a Tracleer pill twice a day to combat her symptoms. But it could take weeks to several months before the drug kicks in, she said. Her doctors are trying to get her insurance company to cover the cost of a second medication, Ventavis, that's supposed to work more effectively.

"It's been a challenge," Peck said.

And the challenge has come in the form of medical and financial complications.

That's why Jane Scull wanted to help.

Scull and Peck played volleyball together in high school but lost touch over the years. They were reunited when Scull's daughter joined the Girl Scout troop that Peck is leader of at the church.

"Pam is so sweet and the girls love her so much," Scull said. "You feel very helpless that you can't do anything medically to help, but maybe there is a way to help financially."

Scull has organized a basket bingo to be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Porter Sideling Fire Co. The proceeds will be split among Peck and another Girl Scout leader at the church who is also facing a serious medical condition. That leader declined to be interviewed for this story.

Peck said her family, friends and acquaintances have been very supportive and she was surprised to hear of the fund-raiser.

"I'm not the kind of person to draw attention to myself, so it's been a little difficult," she said. "But I love the idea and I'm so glad she's doing it."

Peck is planning to make an appearance at the basket bingo.

"It's overwhelming that people have gone out of their way to give me money and support and I'm always in their thoughts and prayers," Peck said. "It's just been amazing. I can never repay anyone for what they've done for me."

Contact Shari Sanger at ssanger@eveningsun.com .

AT A GLANCE:

What: Basket bingo
When: Sunday, June 12. Doors open at noon. Bingo starts at 2 p.m.
Where: Porters Sideling Fire Co.
Cost: Tickets are $15 and can be reserved or purchased at the door.
Donations: Cash donations for sponsoring baskets in the bingo are still needed.

For more information call Jane Scull at 637-0764.

Scientific Publication on Long-term Bosentan Use in PPH
ALLSCHWIL, Switzerland, Feb. 1, 2005 - Actelion Ltd (SWX: ALTN) announced today the publication of the scientific paper evaluating disease outcome of patients with advanced primary pulmonary arterial hypertension receiving Tracleer(bosentan).