VBF Celebrates 4th Annual International Day of Awareness

The Vascular Birthmarks Foundation (VBF) announces the 2007 VBF International Day of Awareness for vascular birthmarks and related syndromes, on May 15, 2007.

New York, NY (PRWEB) May 9, 2007 -- The Vascular Birthmarks Foundation (VBF) announces the 2007 VBF International Day of Awareness for vascular birthmarks and related syndromes, on May 15, 2007. VBF is the largest not-for-profit foundation for patients and families affected by vascular birthmarks.

Based in the United States, VBF at http://www.birthmark.org is working worldwide to distribute vital information; to provide individual and family support; and to further research for all types of vascular birthmarks and related syndromes. One in 100 children born will have a vascular birthmark that requires the opinion of a vascular birthmarks specialist. Due to outdated information and medical practices, over 60% of all vascular birthmarks are misdiagnosed.

The VBF has established chapters in Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, India, Israel, Latin America, New Zealand, and will soon launch a chapter in Africa. In 2004 the Sturge-Weber Syndrome Community became an official branch of the VBF, serving families and individuals living with Sturge-Weber syndrome. VBF also partnered with The Sturge-Weber Syndrome Community-Canada to offer a website and support services in both French and English languages.

To highlight the 2007 VBF International Day of Awareness, the VBF Chapters are focusing on family and community based events. These events help to educate and raise the much-needed funds, thus ensuring the organization provides the most current and relevant information to the public. International awareness also implements cooperation and unity within the medical community on a worldwide platform. Some of the events include: "Buddy Booby's Birthmark" Book Read-Along, an international effort to have schools in every country and state in the U.S. read the book by mother and son authors Donna and Evan Ducker; a meeting for people with hemangioma and lymphatic malformations in Brazil; the sale of the CD "Love at Second Sight"; and a Texas No Limit Hold'em Benefit. Events can be hosted on May 15, the official VBF Awareness Day, or at any time during the year.

VBF was founded in1994 by Linda Rozell-Shannon, when her daughter was diagnosed with a hemangioma shortly after birth. Since that time, the VBF has networked over 25,000 patients into treatment. The primary mission of the VBF is to enable every child born with a vascular birthmark to receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment

Contact:
Linda Rozell-Shannon
Founder and President, Vascular Birthmarks Foundation
http://www.birthmark.org
Phone: (877) 823-4646
E-Mail: HBVF(at)aol.com

###