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Lupus Foundation of Pittsburgh Hosts 22nd Annual Lupus Loop

Don Pferdehirt is a grad. of Penn State University

With a background in engineering and international business, Spring, TX, resident Donald “Don” Lee Pferdehirt works for Bayer Corporation. He recently served as global technical support for operations. A former resident of Pennsylvania when he attended the Pennsylvania State University, Don Pferdehirt remains connected to the state and supports the Lupus Foundation of Pittsburgh.

Founded in 1975 by Barbara Vandergrift, an individual diagnosed with lupus, the Lupus Foundation of Pennsylvania promotes awareness, research, and education pertaining to the disease. Since it began, the organization has grown and currently includes offices in Erie, Harrisburg, Pittsburg, and the Poconos. 

One of the organization’s annual fundraising events is the Lupus Loop. The 2017 event occurred on September 16. In its 22nd year, the Lupus Loop is a 5K fun run and walk that took place at Station Square in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There were 46 runners who competed in the race, with 24 men and 22 women. Haley Noonan came in first overall with a time of 19:39 and the first male to cross the finish line was Ken Hornfeck with a time of 20:44.

Chemical Engineer Don Pferdehirt at Home

Chemical Engineer Don Pferdehirt of Spring, TX, standing on his porch at home.

Don Pferdehirt and friends at the airport

Don Pferdehirt and friends at the airport during a recent trip

Don Pferdehirt at Alamo Mission in San Antonio

Based in Spring, TX, Donald Lee “Don” Pferdehirt has served as a member of the Bayer Corporation team since 1984, when he joined the company as a process engineer.

Don Pferdehirt | Manager and Engineer

Don Pferdehirt | Engineer and Manager from Don Pferdehirt on Vimeo.

Basic Etiquette for Attending the Theater

Don Pferdehirt utilizes his 20-plus years of experience in management and engineering to analyze situations, research options, and achieve positive results.

An honored executive in Spring, TX, Donald Lee (Don) Pferdehirt joined the Bayer Corporation in 1984 as a process engineer and worked his way up to become the head of technical support for global MDI operations. In his leisure time, Don Pferdehirt enjoys attending the theater.

Proper etiquette for theatergoers may be summed up as respect for the actors and fellow audience members. When seeing a show on Broadway or at a regional theater, keep these guidelines in mind:

1. Arrive on Time
Arrive for the show at least 15 minutes prior to curtain to allow time to be seated.

2. Maintain Silence During the Show
Remember to turn off your cell phone before the show begins and refrain from talking once the show begins. Any sound you make, even the rustling of cough drop wrappers, may annoy fellow audience members or distract the actors.

3. Never Take Flash Photography
Using a flash always negatively impacts those around you and those performing. Many theaters prohibit any photography during a show.

Lupus Predominantly Affects Females of Child-Bearing Age

A Spring, TX, resident, Donald “Don” Lee Pferdehirt works as head of global technical support for MDI Operations for Bayer Corporation, dealing with the safety, product development, and quality improvement for the finished goods division of the company. 

As head of global MDI operations support with Bayer Corporation, Spring, TX resident Donald "Don" Lee Pferdehirt draws upon more than 30 years of engineering and management experience in overseeing capital planning and product development functions. Beyond his professional pursuits, Don Pferdehirt is a longtime supporter of the Lupus Foundation of Pittsburgh. 

According to the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), lupus affects 1.5 million Americans, but predominantly females between the ages of 15 and 45. In fact, 90 percent of all individuals diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus fall into the aforementioned category. Like other diseases, early diagnosis significantly improves outcomes, but it can be difficult to diagnose given the changing symptoms associated with the disease. No two patients are exactly alike in regard to their symptoms and, as a result, the disease may quietly progress in women who are in otherwise great health. 

Symptoms generally depend on which body systems are affected by the disease, but they most commonly include joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, as well as fatigue, shortness of breath, rashes, skin lesions, and memory loss. Changes in taste and smell may also occur. As it stands, the disease cannot be cured, but it can be managed through various treatment options. Those diagnosed with the disease should consider charting symptoms in a journal and consulting with their physician to adjust medication and discuss lifestyle changes.

The Lupus Foundation of Pennsylvania Seeks to Educate

Don Pferdehirt is fluent in English, German and Turkish

As the head of global operations support for methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) for the Bayer Corporation, Donald (“Don”) Lee Pferdehirt of Spring, TX, has overseen engineering at multiple sites in six countries. Alongside his career as a management executive, Don Pferdehirt has supported the work of charitable organizations such as the Lupus Foundation in Pittsburgh.

Headquartered in Pittsburgh, the Lupus Foundation of Pennsylvania seeks to end the stigma associated with those with a chronic illness like lupus. Since its establishment by Barbara Vandergrift in 1975, the foundation has provided educational resources, supported scientific research, and raised awareness about the condition. Its mission includes safeguarding those with lupus from negative outcomes such as job loss or continual hospitalization.

The Lupus Foundation of Pennsylvania also provides those with the disease with support group meetings and educational programs, such as its 2018 spring series entitled Living with Lupus. Moreover, it travels to health fairs to provide resources and encourage early diagnosis and speaks to groups about how to recognize the diseases and other lupus topics.