April 28, 2015

Cherry Hill to hold walk to raise Preeclampsia awareness

Little known disease threatens mothers and their newborns

By Michael Phillis
PhillyVoice Contributor

Promise Walk for Preeclampsia/Facebook

Last year's "Promise Walk" participants raise awareness for Preeclampsia.

A fundraising walk, to help raise awareness of a little known disease that can harm mothers and their babies, is scheduled to take place Saturday in Cherry Hill.

The event will focus on Preeclampsia, a disorder which can occur in mothers weeks before or after a child is born and to unborn children. Symptoms often include sharp rises in blood pressure that can cause headaches, nausea and heightened anxiety in mothers. In severe cases, the disease can lead to seizures or a stroke, according to the Preeclampsia Foundation:

"Affecting at least 5-8 percent of all pregnancies, (preeclampsia) is a rapidly progressive condition characterized by high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine. Swelling, sudden weight gain, headaches and changes in vision are important symptoms; however, some women with rapidly advancing disease report few symptoms.   Typically, preeclampsia occurs after 20 weeks gestation (in the late 2nd or 3rd trimesters or middle to late pregnancy) and up to six weeks postpartum (after delivery), though in rare cases it can occur earlier than 20 weeks. Proper prenatal care is essential to diagnose and manage preeclampsia.

Registration for “The Promise Walk for Preeclampsia” will start at 8:30 a.m. at Challenge Grove Park. Along with a 5K walk, there will be speeches about the disease as well as coffee and snacks.

For more information, click here.

Michael Phillis
PhillyVoice Contributor