Vasa previa is a rare (1 in 2,500/3,000 pregnancies) condition in which fetal blood vessels from the placenta or umbilical cord cross the entrance to the birth canal beneath the baby.  If the blood vessels tear when the cervix dilates or when the membranes rupture, rapid fetal blood loss results from the vessels tearing. The condition has a high fetal mortality rate (50-90%) when unidentified. Despite its severity, it is not commonly recognized by midwives and obstetricians. When vasa previa is detected prior to the fetal blood vessels tearing and managed appropriately, the baby has a much greater chance of surviving.  Vasa previa can easily be detected during pregnancy with use of transvaginal color Doppler sonography. Please visit our website for more information.

Since May 2000 Marlou has been working together with companions in distress to create awareness for vasa previa, because hardly anyone has ever heard of it. In Januari 2001 the Vasa Previa Foundation was founded.

There are several significant achievements the VPF has attained since its inception:

¨       The VPF developed and maintains a website which serves as a one-stop source of information for its members and the public. Spanish, English and Dutch press kits and facts sheets have also been developed.  There are also links to personal stories of members and links to articles about members that have appeared in various publications.

¨       In May 2001 in the Netherlands, a new protocol was developed by the NVOG (Dutch Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists), about blood loss in the second semester of the pregnancy. Due to the work of the VPF, vasa previa has become a part of this protocol.

¨       The VPF is participating in a medical study in conjunction with Yinka Oyelese, MD at Georgetown University.  This is by far the largest study on vasa previa ever done. Dr. Oyelese and VPF presented information based on the research data at the ISUOG conference in New York in November 2002.  The results of the study will be published this year.

On Saturday April 19, Colette and Marlou will walk the Kennedymarch, a 50 miles long walk from Sittard, through Belgium and Germany, back to Sittard. With this walk we´re trying to raise money for the Vasa Previa Foundation. Amongst others, money is needed for creating and spreading promotional material, stimulating research, attending congresses and much more.

With this letter we want to ask you to sponsor us for this Walk. If you would like to support us please use Paypall  to donate your money. Fill in Kennedymarch at the Payment for field.  You could also send your checks to:

Vasa Previa Foundation
PO Box 272293
Boca Raton, FL   33427-2293
USA