WHAT IF IT'S IPF?

Would you like to learn more about IPF or take action?

SEE BERNIE'S STORY

See how Bernie Williams—New York Yankees legend and musician who lost his father to IPF—is working to spread the word about the disease through events like the Breathless^® Blowout.

WHAT IS IPF?

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or IPF, is a serious disease that causes the lungs to become permanently scarred. This scarring makes it difficult to breathe and—eventually—the lungs can’t inhale enough oxygen for the body to function.

When I was first diagnosed with IPF, I’d never heard of it. I went home and looked it up online, but there wasn’t much out there—no one seemed to know much about it. I felt like I was on my own.

- Connie, patient with IPF

FACTS ABOUT IPF

WHAT ARE POSSIBLE SYMTOMS OF IPF?

Below is a list of the possible symptoms of IPF. Remember, IPF affects everyone differently—meaning people with IPF will not necessarily experience all the symptoms listed below.

Would you like to learn more about IPF or take action?

LEARN MORE TAKE ACTION

Would you like to learn more about IPF or take action?

LEARN MORE TAKE ACTION

What is IPF?

Facts about IPF

CAN BE LIFE-THREATENING

IPF kills around 40,000 people in the US each year—just as many as breast cancer.

IS NOT EASILY RECOGNIZED

Some doctors may not easily recognize the signs of IPF. It often takes a team of specialists to make an IPF diagnosis.

IS DECEPTIVE

IPF shares many symptoms with more common conditions, meaning it’s easily—and often—misdiagnosed.

CAN BE LIFE-THREATENING

kills around 40,000 people in the US each year—just as many as breast cancer.

IS NOT EASILY RECOGNIZED

Some doctors may not easily recognize the signs of IPF. It often takes a team of specialists to make an IPF diagnosis.

IS DECEPTIVE

IPF shares many symptoms with more common conditions, meaning it’s easily—and often—misdiagnosed.

WHAT ARE POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS OF IPF?

Below is a list of the possible symptoms of IPF. Remember, IPF affects everyone differently—meaning people with IPF will not necessarily experience all the symptoms listed below.

Shortness of breath

Feeling breathless during activity or even at rest.

Persistent, dry, hacking cough

A cough that doesn’t produce phlegm and won’t go away.

Fatigue

Feeling tired—even after light activity.

Clubbing or widening of the fingertips

Fingertips widen—making them appear rounder than usual.

Unexplained weight loss

Weight loss that can’t be attributed to diet or exercise.

Sleeping difficulties

Trouble sleeping due to issues like sleep apnea or coughing.

Four-time World Series champion, New York Yankees legend, and Latin Grammy nominee Bernie Williams lost his father to IPF. See how the disease changed Bernie’s life—and how Bernie is fighting to change the lives of those living with IPF today through events like the Breathless Blowout game days. Bernie is hosting these events at select Minor League Baseball™ games across the country in honor of those living with IPF.

What is IPF?

Learn important facts about IPF, including its warning signs, diagnosis difficulties, and more.

Becoming an IPF advocate

Watch Bernie Williams share his father's IPF story and how his experience with the disease led him to become an IPF advocate.

Taking charge of IPF

Hear what Bernie Williams and Dr. Marilyn Glassberg, a pulmonologist, have to say about taking charge of your health by working with your doctor and continuing to push for answers.

The caregiver's role

See how Hiram, Bernie Williams' brother, helped to provide the care and support his father needed while living with IPF.

Bernie’s commitment to raising awareness

Throughout the 2018 baseball season, Bernie teamed up with Minor League Baseball fans to help spread the word about IPF through events called "Breathless Blowout" game days. During the Breathless Blowout game days, Bernie rallied fans to blow bubblegum bubbles to help raise awareness of IPF and one of its telltale symptoms—breathlessness—which can make everyday activities, like blowing gum bubbles, hard for someone living with the disease.

Follow Boehringer Ingelheim (@boehringerus) on Twitter for information on Bernie’s appearances, other IPF events, and more. Follow Now

HOW YOU CAN HELP

You can take part in the fight against IPF in 3 simple ways.

SPREAD THE WORD

No matter who you are, there’s something you can do to raise awareness about IPF. Click to see how you can help.

SIGN UP

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms, it may be helpful to hear from people with IPF about being diagnosed. Sign up for emails with helpful tips from real patients.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Now that you’ve learned the IPF basics, it’s time to dig a little deeper and learn more about diagnosing and treating IPF.

SPREAD THE WORD

Each and every one of us has a role in spreading the word about IPF. Below you’ll find an assortment of shareable cards that touch on everything from IPF statistics, to symptoms, to misdiagnosis.

Share these cards with your social network—or even directly with those who are showing symptoms—to help raise awareness of the disease and maybe help those who are searching for answers reach a diagnosis sooner.

SWIPE FOR OPTIONS

SIMPLY CLICK ON THE CARD THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE.

SHARED 537 TIMES
SHARE

SHARE
SHARED 254 TIMES
SHARE

SHARE
SHARED 233 TIMES
SHARE

SHARE

SHARED 145 TIMES
SHARE

SHARE
SHARED 129 TIMES
SHARE

SHARE
SHARED 135 TIMES
SHARE

SHARE

SHARED 153 TIMES
SHARE

SHARE
SHARED 121 TIMES
SHARE

SHARE
SHARED 136 TIMES
SHARE

SHARE

SHARED 109 TIMES
SHARE

SHARE
SHARED 113 TIMES
SHARE

SHARE

SIGN UP

First Name*

Please enter your first name.

Last Name*

Please enter your last name.

Email Address*

Please enter a valid e-mail address.

What best describes how IPF affects you?*

Please select one.

SIGN UP

* When were they you diagnosed?

Please select one.

* Are they you currently on treatment?

Yes

Please select yes or no.

*I am 18 years of age or older.

You must be 18 years of age or older to sign up.

I allow Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and companies working on its behalf to use this information to contact me about health-and product-related information and services associated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and other products.

Note that you need to check the box above if you wish to receive email updates from BreathlessIPF.com

I would like to receive communications about participation in market research.†

I would like to receive communications about opportunities to share my story (i.e., potential participation in videos, brochures, etc.).^†

^†If you are contacted to participate in one of these programs and wish to do so, you must first qualify for participation, and a separate agreement would be required prior to participation.

SIGN UP

The email address you entered has already been registered. Please try again using a different email address.

SIGN UP

Thank You

Thanks for signing up. Starting now, you can look forward to emails with stories and helpful tips from real people living with IPF.

Thank You

Thank you for signing up to receive idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) support and resources from BreathlessIPF.com. You've been added to our e-mail list: {{signup.reg.email}}.

We're also excited that you signed up for communications about opportunities to share your story. Please contact 833-878-2764 to schedule a call to discuss further details and answer questions about your IPF journey. Remember to print or download this page if you'd like to keep a record of the phone number to call.

Print Download

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Learn more about IPF and how it’s diagnosed or read about a treatment option.

LEARN MORE ABOUT IPF

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Learn more about IPF and how it’s diagnosed or read about a treatment option.

LEARN MORE ABOUT IPF

IPF SUPPORT COMMUNITIES

Looking for more support for IPF? Below are two additional resources that may provide support and information for those affected by IPF. Explore these helpful third party websites below.

Inspire is an organization that partners with national advocacy groups to help connect patients and caregivers, including those affected by IPF. Through Inspire, users can find support from people who understand the disease and what it’s like to live with it.
Visit Inspire

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation connects people living with pulmonary fibrosis to each other for support and inspiration. The organization also offers education, resources, and access to care for both patients and caregivers.
Find Support Groups
View PFF Educational Resources
Watch PFF Educational Videos