PF Board member's story featured

[eleni]

Pat Dignan, PF board member, was featured in today's NJ Star Ledger. We're pleased with the resulting coverage in this high-circulation, rather influential publication (close proximity to NY). The PF is mentioned throughout, as is medical board member Dr. John Repke.

http://www.nj.com/living/ledger/index.ssf?/base/living-2/110205521471650.xml

[frasiah]

I am so sorry for Mr. Dignan. Thank you for sharing your story with us. May you be blessed.

Frasiah
DD sev PE (29 weeks) 07/03/03
m/c 06/04
# 2 due 05/26/2005

[denise]

Thank you for the link Eleni! My heart goes out to Mr Dignan and his children. I appreciate him sharing his story.

-------
Denise (28) Co-coordinator for WI
Jason (32)
Ariana (18 months)-born 5/3/03 at 35 weeks due to HELLP
Currently TTC #2
http://hometown.aol.com/scrapperlang/Home.htm

[tafkap]

What an amazing story. I am in tears. Thank you for posting the link, Eleni!

Jessica- Colorado Co-Coordinator
dd Katherine Grace born
10-13-2003
34weeks,6days,39minutes PIH/ Pre-E www.coreyandjess.info
~10 lbs lost! 17 weeks to goal weight- then TTC #2!~

[annegarrett]

I should add that nearly everyone quoted in the article is associated closely with the PF. It was a real act of courage for Pat to share this.



Anne Garrett
Executive Director
Preeclampsia Foundation

[mada]

Thanks so much for sharing. I admire your strength and courage and dedication as a father.

Mada Harpster-moderator for pregnant again

Sam 6-29-00 36weeks P.E.
Ben 11-03-01 No P.E.

[amym]

I am so sorry that Donna's doctors were not able to figure her case out. That is just so horribly unfair to have two beautiful babies and never get to hold them or watch them grow.

Being a journalist, I am disappointed in the fact that the story didn't end in a more positive light -- it didn't mention the many clinical studies that are being conducted, nor did it mention how many women are saved because they visit this Web site and become familiar with the warning signs. I know there's no way to sugarcoat what the Dignans went through, but I felt as though the story just left me feeling helpless and negative.

Regardless, any publicity is a positive thing.


Amy (28)
Mom to Delaney, born 11/26/03 @ 37 weeks, PIH & severe IUGR

[annegarrett]

I hear what you are saying Amy, but sadly the Donna's case was not one where being aware of the signs would have made a difference. She had no clear symptoms of problems until after delivery and the boys were only delivered on essentially a "hunch"--one that likely saved their lives. I think the sad thing that I see about such deaths is that a lot of them are well educated, aware, well-tended women--and so the thing that will make the most difference is more research dollars going to study the disease.



Anne Garrett
Executive Director
Preeclampsia Foundation

[natan]

I am going to see my Dr. tomorrow. I will bring him a copy.

Wow, maybe this will be a wake-up call for more research to be done.

Deborah
Northern Ca Coordinator

[ann marie]

Thanks for sharing this article. So good to see the pf name getting publicized as well as the s/s of pe.

Ann Marie (29)Moderator for "Ask the Experienced" and "Bedrest"
Co-coordinator for Wisconsin
DH: Matt (32)
PIH/PE/Low Amniotic Fluid
Luke 3/17/04--37 weeks after 15 weeks of bedrest