Inspiring Others With a Mission of Hope

Nicole Creech was already a support group leader, a multi-faceted volunteer and an individual living with pulmonary hypertension (PH) when she joined the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) Board of Trustees. She is on a mission to develop hope and resiliency in others with PH and create an overall awareness of the disease.

When she was first diagnosed in 2008, Nicole said, “I was in denial. I just put myself on autopilot.” After many years of adjusting to PH on top of the sickle cell disease she already lived with, Nicole felt better and began to wonder if she could help others. She wanted to encourage others in their own journey with PH, so she began volunteering with the association in 2016.

Nicole chose to work with individuals who have just found out they have PH. One way she connects with them is through nurses, who hand out her business cards to new PH patients at her local hospital so they can call her for support.

“I remember how I felt when I was first diagnosed, and I just want to give others hope,” said Nicole. “There is a lot to deal with when you’re first diagnosed, and I hope I can take some of the fright out of it for those new to PH.”

Focusing on newly diagnosed men, women and children, Nicole met with them at their homes, in hospitals or at the local bi-monthly support group she led in Lexington, Kentucky, to give them comfort, support and new medical information from PHA and her PH care center. Her group included 23 regular members, including an 8-year-old child.

In an effort to make a bigger impact on how PH is viewed in the health care community on a national level, Nicole traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate to elected officials on behalf of PH patients. Nicole sees her voice as a patient advocate amplified as she “helps PHA help us [people living with PH].”

To reach a wider audience with her message of hope, Nicole has been involved running two Facebook groups, serving on the PHA Support Group Leader Advisory Board, and helping with the support group leader mentorship program and regional support group leader trainings. Nicole says she is glad she can give back in so many ways. Her work to bring hope to individuals and their families who are new to PH is at the heart of PHA’s mission and vision.