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SEPTEMBER 02, 2008 -
The Preeclampsia Foundation announced today that Ms. Caryn Rogers is the 2008 recipient of its annual Hope Award for Volunteer of the Year. This prestigious award will be presented to Ms. Rogers at its annual benefit gala, "Saving Grace: A Night of Hope" on Saturday, September 20th at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. The award is designed to recognize an individual who epitomizes the true spirit of volunteerism and has made significant contributions to the Foundation.
Leslie Weeks, President of the Preeclampsia Foundation said,"Caryn is our 'Director of Research' on the Forums; she’s able to explain science and biological mechanisms better than anyone I’ve ever known." Ms. Weeks continued, “It’s a good thing for us that Caryn has insomnia, because the amount of time she puts in keeping up with new research, fielding questions, and responding to members concerns is, quite frankly, nothing short of astounding.”
She echoed other comments about Caryn by stating, “I don’t know what we would do without her. Her commitment to women and families dealing with preeclampsia is extraordinary and I am proud that the Foundation is recognizing her good work.”
Ms. Caryn Rogers - "Volunteer of the Year"
A native of Tempe, Arizona, Ms. Rogers is a graduate of Arizona State University. She has been a private tutor in mathematics and violin for the past decade, a section player in the Symphony of the Southwest for eight years, and a freelance architectural drafter for several small firms. She and her family have recently relocated to Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
Her son was born at 34 weeks following a diagnosis of severe preeclampsia. It was then that she learned of the Preeclampsia Foundation and became active on its heavily used “Forum” that brings women and families together to “ask the experts,” learn from one another, and share experiences. Caryn eventually took on the role of “science writer” on the Forum by providing straightforward summaries of the current understanding of preeclampsia and related disorders.
When asked to comment on her award, Ms. Rogers said, “It’s always nice to get some recognition -- but my true reward comes from the opportunity to help so many other women who have been touched by the nightmare of preeclampsia. As we often say, knowledge is power and I try my best to make sure that the latest scientific information is accessible to everyone.”
About Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine; other symptoms often include swelling in the hands and face. Preeclampsia affects the mother's kidneys, liver and other vital organs and, if undetected or untreated, can lead to seizures (eclampsia), cerebral hemorrhage, failure in vital organs (i.e., kidney and heart), and death. Preeclampsia is as common in the United States as breast cancer, complicating 5-8% of all pregnancies and accounting for 15% of all premature births. By conservative estimates, each year this disease is responsible for 76,000 deaths worldwide.
About the Preeclampsia Foundation
The Preeclampsia Foundation is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in the year 2000 to fund and drive research, raise public and professional awareness, and provide support and education for those whose lives have been touched by preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Its mission is to stop preventable death and disability of mothers and babies by eliminating delays in diagnosis, implementing the best known practices, developing new practices, and helping women and their families through the impact of preeclampsia. More information can be found at www.preeclampsia.org or calling toll-free 1-800-665-9341.