Two Days of Learning for the NTM and Bronchiectasis Community

I’m so grateful we have World NTM Awareness Day on August 4th.

Every year, this day shines a light on nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease, raises awareness, and encourages earlier recognition, more informed conversations with healthcare providers, and better care.

I lived with a Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection, one of the most common types of NTM, for more than 2½ years. I’m incredibly grateful that I was able to clear the infection, and even more grateful to now use my experience to help raise awareness, educate others, and support our wonderful community.

One of the featured speakers is Dr. Sunjay Devarajan, who will discuss hemoptysis (coughing up blood), one of the most frightening complications of bronchiectasis and NTM lung disease.
He’ll explain why it happens, available treatment options, and when it’s important to seek emergency care.

If you’ve ever met Dr. Devarajan, you know you immediately get the sense of approachability and confidence. How wonderful to be a clinician who easily puts people at ease and lets them know they’re in good hands.

My hope is that none of us ever experiences severe hemoptysis. But if we do, I want us to be prepared rather than terrified.

August 4
12:30 pm ET
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/6gvk8yj
The learning continues the very next day. On August 5, the University of North Carolina Bronchiectasis and NTM Program will host a 90-minute panel discussion on NTM lung disease. The participants will be bronchiectasis and NTM experts, Dr. Ken Olivier and Dr. LeighAnne Daniels.

What I love most is that attendees are encouraged to submit their questions in advance of the discussion.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to hear directly from experts, learn from the questions others are asking, and better understand these complex diseases.

If you’ve ever had a question about MAC lung disease or another NTM lung disease, this is your opportunity to ask it. I hope you’ll join the discussion, submit your questions, and learn alongside others in our community. The more we learn together, the better equipped we are to advocate for ourselves and support one another.

Submit your questions by noon ET on August 3 to brxntmcenter@unchealth.unc.edu.

Talk on August 5
2:00 pm ET

Register today https://bit.ly/4vUwMVi

Happy NTM Awareness Day!!