Supporting Patients with Balloons: The "CTEPH Balloon Dream" Project Kicks Off
Bayer Pharmaceuticals launched the "CTEPH Balloon Dream" project on June 3rd to promote awareness of CTEPH (chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension) and support patients. A kickoff event was held the same day in Shibuya, Tokyo.
Attendees included professional soccer player Moe Hosogai, who has served as a CTEPH Awareness Ambassador since 2013; Noriko Murakami, Chairperson of the NPO PAH no Kai (PAH Association), which supports CTEPH patients; Yukiko Nishimura, Chairperson of the NPO ASrid; and internationally renowned balloon artist SHINO.
At the venue, general participants inflated balloons on behalf of patients unable to exert themselves physically, expressing the patients' dreams and hopes through balloon art.
CTEPH is a disease where blood clots (blood masses) block the inner walls of pulmonary blood vessels, hindering blood flow and causing persistent pulmonary hypertension—a condition where pressure in the pulmonary arteries rises. This impairs blood flow between the lungs and heart, leading to various symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest pain.
Currently, there are 2,511 CTEPH patients in Japan (number of holders of the Specified Disease Medical Benefits Certificate). However, despite being a designated intractable disease, awareness of CTEPH is extremely low compared to diseases like Parkinson's or Crohn's disease, and it remains largely unknown.
On the day of the event, athlete Hosogai and SHINO held a stage event. For CTEPH patients who rarely get to travel due to their illness, SHINO created a balloon replica of the Eiffel Tower, Paris's iconic symbol, which was voted the most desired destination in a patient survey.
Additionally, Bayer announced that for every balloon inflated by event participants, 500 yen would be donated, and for every "like" clicked on the project 's official Facebook page, 100 yen would be donated.
Oliver Ziegler, Head of Marketing for Pulmonary Hypertension and Central Nervous System at Bayer Pharmaceuticals' Cardiovascular Division, appealed for cooperation: "CTEPH is a rare disease, but treatment has advanced, and depending on the symptoms, it can be cured. To achieve this, it's crucial to understand the disease well. This leads to early detection and enables patients to live better lives. Each of your small actions adds up to strength and supports patients, so thank you for your cooperation."
During the finale stage, Dr. Takashi Kawakami, a CTEPH specialist and Specially Appointed Lecturer in the Department of Cardiology at Keio University School of Medicine, explained CTEPH. Following this, players Hosogai, Murakami, and SHINO shared their thoughts on the day.
Hosogai stated, "Having so many people inflate balloons helps patients and their families directly. It was truly rewarding to be part of such a meaningful effort. I want to continue supporting these activities while continuing my career as a soccer player."
The day's fundraising total was ¥622,000 from 1,244 inflated balloons and ¥83,200 from 832 likes, for a combined total of ¥705,200.
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