Vascular Birthmarks Vascular Birthmarks FoundationFoundation

An international charitable organization that provides

support and informational resources for individuals affected by hemangiomas, port wine stains, and other vascular birthmarks and tumors, sponsors relevant research and

promotes physician education.

Founded in 1994 by Linda Rozell-Founded in 1994 by Linda Rozell-ShannonShannon

VBF was founded by Linda Rozell-Shannon in 1994 after her daughter Christine was diagnosed with a hemangioma and she found that there was no foundation, no website, no book and very few resources

Linda searched for a surgeon to remove Christine’s hemangioma and found Dr. Waner. Together they formed VBF and wrote the first book on the subject “Birthmarks: A Guide to Hemangiomas and Vascular Malformations”

October 1995 - First clinic established October 1995 - First clinic established at Albany Medical Centerat Albany Medical Center

Linda meets Dr. Martin Mihm at Albany Medical Center. Dr. Mihm joins the board of VBF.

Linda works with Dr. Mihm to establish the first multi-disciplinary treatment center for vascular birthmarks at Albany Medical Center.

Linda introduces Dr. Waner to Dr. Mihm and research on Vascular Birthmarks begins.

Dr. Mihm meets Dr. North in Arkansas, where Dr. Waner was from, and research becomes published.

1996-Board of Directors Established1996-Board of Directors Established Linda adds more doctors and parents of children with

birthmarks to board Name is officially changed from Hemangioma and

Vascular Birthmarks Foundation to VBF. 501 C 3 papers are filed, making VBF official. VBF networks an average of 50 individuals a month. Over 40 letters are received weekly in the mail and over

25 phone calls per week are answered. Numerous newspapers stories and television news

features are done on VBF which launches VBF nationwide.

August 1996 August 1996 www.birthmark.orgwww.birthmark.org founded founded

Linda takes off the summer and works with a friend to create the VBF website.

Linda begins work with Mike Steffano of the PWS group which later becomes Birthmarks.com.

VBF receives it first donations as a charitable organization.

VBF receives hundreds of emails its first week, mainly from physicians seeking information.

VBF publishes a chart for physicians to assist them in how to diagnose a vascular birthmark.

Progression of HopeProgression of Hope

1997 2005

From a One Person Parent Support Group to an

International Network of Families and Physicians

19971997

VBF receives its official legal status as a not for profit– Formed Board of Directors– Established Second Treatment Center in

Buffalo, New York– Networked over 1,000 Patients into Treatment– Linda attends and speaks at Hemangioma Hope

Conference for families with birthmarks

19981998

Solidified Operational Logistics

– Issued Foundation Bylaws– Opened Foundation Office in Latham, NY– Established Third Treatment Center in

Charleston, SC– Networked over 1,000 Patients into Treatment,

bringing VBF to over 3,000 patients networked

19991999Positioning for Expanded Impact

– Established Scientific Advisory Board– Held First Fundraising Gala– Networked over 1,000 Patients into Treatment bringing

new total to over 4,500 patients– Linda speaks at national conferences – Linda is first non-doctor invited to write a chapter in a

medical textbook on vascular birthmarks. – Pro baseball player Frank Catalanotto and wife Barbara

establish relationship with VBF

20002000 Staffed for Exponential Positive Impact

– Sponsored Conference in Charleston SC– Addressed American Academy of Dermatology– Established Executive Director & Med. Advisory

Board– Distributed First Newsletter– Established Fifth Treatment Center– Networked over 1,000 Patients into Treatment,

totaling over 6,500 patients– Awarded “Best Pick” Website by Yahoo

20012001 Accelerating the Pace

– Featured on Discovery Channel Health Segment– Initiated Annual Polo Fund Raising Event– Distributed Medical Text to 500 Med Schools– Added Family & Physician Resource Lists– Established Sixth Treatment Center– Networked over a total of 8,000 cumulative

_ Created “Ask the Doctor” Website Feature

20022002 Fulfilling Our Mission

– Funded Research and Physician Education Grant– Catalanottos Become VBF Honorary Chairpersons– Cemented Annual Polo Fund Raising Event– Developed Professional Marketing Collateral – Addressed three Major Conferences– Established Seventh through Ninth Treatment Center– Networked over 10,000 Cumulative Patients into

Treatment

Results…The First 7 YearsResults…The First 7 Years Networked over ten thousand patients into treatment Distributed Medical Text Books to US and Canadian

Medical Schools Established Nine Worldwide Treatment Centers Facilitated Medical Research Featured on Discovery Health Channel Presented to The American Academy of Dermatology Co-authors First Guide Book for Parents on Hemangiomas

and Vascular Birthmarks. Established Physician Education Program Orchestrated Four Family/Physician Medical Conferences

2003 - VBF 2003 - VBF VBF adds new chapters including Sturge Weber

Syndrome Community Group VBF Partners with Klippel Trenaunay Foundation VBF adds Canadian Connection VBF establishes Chapter in Israel VBF assists in establishing 2 new treatment centers in

the United States VBF conducts second international Port Wine Stain

Conference in NYC VBF networks over 14,000 into treatment

2004 – VBF2004 – VBF VBF networks over 17,000 individuals into medical treatment

worldwide VBF establishes Orphans With Birthmarks VBF establishes Artists With Birthmarks VBF establishes First National Day of Awareness VBF – Bolingers – Hold 1st Annual Angel Kiss Gala in Texas VBF receives congressional resolution proclaiming May 15th

as our Day of Awareness VBF has numerous PR campaign and fund raising campaigns

nationwide VBF is recognized as leading not for profit for children and

adults with birthmarks in the world

2005 – VBF 2005 – VBF VBF adds VBF Europe as our European Chapter VBF establishes Babies With Birthmarks Guidelines VBF establishes “Ask the Expert” network VBF President and Founder receives Jefferson Award VBF celebrates 2nd Annual Day of Awareness and expands to

International Day of Awareness VBF establishes VBF Kids Who Care Program VBF networks over 20,000 into treatment worldwide VBF is cited in national television programs VBF President begins PhD in Education to focus on vascular

birthmarks education VBF receives one million dollars for research VBF – Bolingers – Hold 2nd Annual Angel Kiss Gala in Texas VBF President joins AAPO Vascular Anomalies Task Force

2006 - VBF2006 - VBF

Networking over 1500 annually into treatment

VBF Experts grow to 25 leading world experts

VBF funds major hemangioma researchVBF – Bolingers – Hold 3rd Annual Angel

Kiss Gala in TexasVBF gets 1.5 million hits each month

2006 – VBF (cont’d) 2006 – VBF (cont’d) VBF expands to New Zealand, Australia, Asia and India VBF adds SWSC in Canada and establishes VBF Canada chapter VBF partners with Buddy Booby Birthmark Book and makes

Buddy official mascot VBF holds first latin dancing fund raiser with great success VBF funds 4 major research projects VBF holds first All Vascular Birthmarks Conference in Boston VBF partners with Wanda’s World, a tween musical about a girl

with a birthmark to be presented at 2006 conference VBF 2006 Day of Awareness goes worldwide VBF adds multi-lingual Ask the Expert and other experts VBF President and Founder meets First Lady Laura Bush

2007 - VBF2007 - VBF

VBF totals over 25,000 networked into treatment VBF Asia established VBF conference held in Irvine, California SWSC extends branch to Canada VBF President conducts dissertation on hemangiomas and

has worldwide participation via VBF worldwide websites VBF – Bolingers – hold 4th Annual Angel Kiss Gala in

Texas VBF receives 1.8 million hits each month on worldwide

websites

2008 - VBF2008 - VBF VBF President and Founder receives VOICES $20,000

award on Montel Williams show VBF President graduates with PhD in Education –

dissertation on hemangiomas VBF holds first gala in NYC Conference and clinic held in NYC VBF receives over 2 million hits monthly worldwide VBF hires PR firm and has national coverage VBF featured in NY Times VBF – Bolingers – Hold 5th Annual Angel Kiss Gala in

Texas VBF chapter in Poland established

2009 – The Economy2009 – The Economy Despite economy, VBF adds new chapters and increases

volume of families served VBF holds annual conference in California VBF funds Physician Education grant VBF establishes first Walk/Run for Birthmarks raising over

$11,000 VBF – Bolingers – hold 6th Annual Angel Kiss Gala in Texas VBF partners with Charity Buzz to raise awareness and

increase fund raising VBF continues to receive 2 million hits each month VBF networks over 400 each month into medical referrals

2010 – The Economy Part 22010 – The Economy Part 2 VBF adds new program LIVE CHAT but has to

discontinue it due to lack of funds VBF adds VBF Peru Chapter VBF holds 2nd Annual Walk/Run VBF holds first LA X ART event in California VBF – Bolingers - hold 7th Annual Angel Kiss gala

in Texas VBF holds 2nd Mark of Beauty Gala in NYC VBF President/Founder, Dr. Linda wins MORE

Magazine Reinvent contest VBF Charity Buzz continues to raise significant

funds for VBF VBF invited to do conference in CHINA !

2011 – New Program Brings Hope2011 – New Program Brings HopeVBF Establishes the iTEAM. An

international team of surgeons and treatment specialists who volunteer to travel to Russia, India, Asia and Africa to perform free surgeries and to train physicians in those countries to perform future treatments.

One iTEAM trip will conducted every 9 month (based on funding)

VBF Russia is launched resulting in VBF chapters on every continent

More 2011 Good News for VBFMore 2011 Good News for VBF

VBF hosts 3rd Annual Walk/Run for Birthmarks in Albany, NY

Frank Catalanotto Foundation hosts Golf Outing to benefit VBF

VBF Texas Event makes front page on Texas newspapers

Legacy 5K Road Race held in Boston to benefit VBF

Providing Hope…Providing Hope…

“If not for this foundation, we would still be sitting and waiting in fear that today could be the last for Christian, now we have hope.”

Sandy (Christian’s Grandma)

“Before finding the VBF and its resources for finding proper care, we were at a loss. VBF gave us the contacts that no one else seemed to know about or understand.”

Kate S. (Julia’s Mom)

2011 and Beyond2011 and Beyond Realizing the Vision…….

– Bringing the iTEAM to underserved countries– Babies With Birthmarks Guidelines established by major

medical academies– Conference/Gala in NYC– Increased Awareness & Accessibility to Options– Discover Cause of Birthmarks through Research– Legislation passed to require insurance companies to

cover treatment of all children with birthmarks.– No Child Will Remain Untreated!

Together we can make a Together we can make a difference!difference!