Bloomsteins Named the NJ Promise Walk for Preeclampsia Mission Family to Help: Calls Attention to Serious Pregnancy Disorder Affecting Mothers, Babies

The Preeclampsia Foundation is pleased to announce that Larry Bloomstein of Brielle, NJ and his infant daughter Hailey, are the 2013 Cranford NJ Promise Walk for Preeclampsia Mission Family.  As this year's face of preeclampsia for the Cranford area walk, which will be held on May 19, Bloomstein will lead the Promise Walk campaign by sharing his story and encouraging teams around the state to meet or exceed their fundraising goals.  Bloomstein and his daughter will receive an official proclamation from the Brielle Mayor on Monday evening, February 25, 2013 recognizing May as Preeclampsia Awareness Month in Brielle.

Bloomstein's wife Lauren developed preeclampsia at the end of her pregnancy, which progressed rapidly into a severe variant known as HELLP syndrome.  Even after delivery, Lauren's blood pressure continued to rise to critically high levels, and just five hours later, Lauren suffered a fatal stroke.

"Traumatized, I had to leave the hospital to plan Lauren's funeral and figure out how to provide for the needs of a newborn," said Bloomstein.  Bloomstein searched for answers and found the Preeclampsia Foundation.

"I attended the Cranford, NJ Promise Walk with Hailey and was amazed to find that we were not alone, " said Bloomstein. While there, Bloomstein heard numerous families sharing stories of delays in diagnosis.  "I was saddened by the long-term effects preeclampsia had on both mother and baby, many of which could have been preventable with immediate care.  I knew that I wanted to take action to help other women like Lauren."

The Preeclampsia Foundation is the only national non-profit patient advocacy organization for the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Through their national fundraising event The Promise Walk for Preeclampsia, the Preeclampsia Foundation works to achieve its mission to provide patient support and education, raise public awareness, catalyze research and improve healthcare practices.

"It is unacceptable that an average of two women die during childbirth each day in the U.S." said Bloomstein. "Together we are working to make all pregnant women aware of this condition, so they look for the early warning signs and make sure their health care providers can identify and take action early to save the lives of mom and baby."

The Cranford area Promise Walk is coordinated by Springfield residents Stephanie Steiner and her daughter, Marissa, both preeclampsia survivors.

Bloomstein, along with the Steiners, will kick off the festivities and share his story at the 2013 Promise Walk for Preeclampsia, on Sunday, May 19, at Oak Ridge Park in Clark NJ, which is a 5K walk. For more information, or to register to walk or donate, please visit: www.promisewalk.org/cranford. To find other exciting events across New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, please visit www.promisewalk.org.