Organizational Overview

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Our Mission
The Preeclampsia Foundation reduces maternal and infant illness and death due to preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy by providing patient support and education, raising public awareness, catalyzing research and improving healthcare practices.  We envision a world where preeclampsia no longer threatens the lives of mothers and babies.

Who We Are
Established in 2000, the Preeclampsia Foundation is the only national 501(c)(3) not-for-profit patient advocacy organization serving the 5-8% of pregnant women - 300,000 women each year in the U.S. alone -  who are affected by the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy such as preeclampsia (formerly known as toxemia), eclampsia and HELLP syndrome.

We are advised by our board of directors and world-renowned medical board comprising the top medical and scientific experts in preeclampsia and allied fields. The Preeclampsia Foundation partners with other non-profit organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and corporations to promote research, public awareness, and education.

What Is Preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia, sometimes referred to by older names - toxemia or pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) -  is a disorder that occurs during pregnancy and the post partum period and affects both the mother and the unborn baby. It is a rapidly progressive condition unique to human pregnancy and characterized by elevated blood pressure and protein in the urine. Other signs and symptoms, such as edema (abnormal swelling) or visual disturbances, can also be present.  The cause of preeclampsia is still not fully understood and there is no treatment.

Although most women with preeclampsia will deliver a healthy baby, a number of women will experience complications, some of which may be life-threatening to themselves or their babies.

Another complication is HELLP (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelet count) syndrome, where women experience serious injury to their liver, a breakdown of red blood cells and a low blood platelet count.

Preeclampsia is a major global health problem, especially in developing countries.  Worldwide, 76,000 mothers and 500,000 babies die because of preeclampsia each year.  Sadly, the rates of preeclampsia, maternal deaths and prematurity are rising and research shows that preeclampsia survivors are at higher risk for long-term complications such as cardiovascular disease. 

What We Do

• Educate and empower women – and their friends and loved ones - on the warning signs of preeclampsia, including their need to get appropriate care at the proper time.
• Increase public awareness of preeclampsia, including increased global attention on this devastating maternal health issue.
• Support diagnosed or at-risk pregnant women connecting them with one another.
• Enable professional training, resources and research to improve the clinical practices of health care providers.
• Advocate for and fund research and improved policies that meet the needs of pregnant women who have or will suffer from preeclampsia.

Why We Matter
We are the victims and survivors of preeclampsia who care passionately about making a difference for our own futures and for others, including our children. We are part of a silent club that we did not choose to join, but our support for one another and our zeal to shake up the status quo is palatable and reflected in our numbers, voices and accomplishments:

• 14,000 online patient community members and electronic newsletter subscribers from 90 countries
• 75 volunteers trained in patient support and information, including online forum moderators
• 2,000-3,000 new visitors to our website (www.preeclampsia.org) every day
• 2,000 stories shared by survivors and/or their family members
• 100,000 brochures and educational materials distributed to clinics, health centers, provider offices, etc.
• 4,000 participants in various research studies
• $450,000 in research grants awarded to date

Preeclampsia: A Decade of Perspective | Global Call To Action

This 40-page “Preeclampsia: A Decade of Perspective | Building a Global Call to Action" publication captured our milestones as the Preeclampsia Foundation celebrated our 10th anniversary, reported on the state of preeclampsia, and suggested a call-to-action for our partners, allies and supporters for the next decade. Included is a Proclamation signed by world health leaders representing 32 nations, that called for solidarity in six action areas. Developing this report was a humbling and eye-opening experience, to realize how far the Foundation has come in ten short years – the programs produced in research, education, awareness and advocacy, but also how vast the road ahead still lies in the US and especially in low- and middle-income countries. This publication is great for anyone who has colloborated with or supported the Foundation in the past, as well as those interested in the growing international health agenda of the future. Available for purchase on our marketplace.