Vascular Birthmarks Foundation

1. Vascular Birthmarks Foundation 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.

2. Founded in 1994 by Linda Rozell-Shannon • 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”

3. October 1995 - First clinic established at 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.

4. 1996-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.

5. August 1996 www.birthmark.org 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.

6. 1997 2005 Progression of Hope From a One Person Parent Support Group to an International Network of Families and Physicians

7. 1997 • 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

8. 1998 • 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

9. 1999 • Positioning for Expanded Impact • Established Scientific Advisory Board • Held First Fundraising Gala • Established Fourth Treatment Center • 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.

10. 2000 • 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

11. 2001 • 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

12. 2002 • Fulfilling Our Mission • Funded Research and Physician Education Grant • Acquired Influential Honorary Chair Persons • 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

13. Results…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

14. 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

15. 2004 – 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

16. 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

17. 2006 - VBF • Networking over 1500 annually into treatment • VBF Experts grow to 25 leading world experts • VBF funds major hemangioma research • VBF – Bolingers – Hold 3rd Annual Angel Kiss Gala in Texas • VBF gets 1.5 million hits each month

18. 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

19. 2007 - 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

20. 2008 - 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

21. 2009 – 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

22. 2010 – 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 !

23. “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) Providing Hope…

24. 2009 and Beyond • Realizing the Vision……. • Establishment of many more Treatment Centers across the US and Worldwide • Babies With Birthmarks Guidelines established by major medical academies • Chapter established in Russia • 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!

25. Together we can make a difference!