Ask the VBF Experts

Dr. Gregory Levitin, Hemangioma and Malformations Surgeon
Dr. Levitin will answer your questions regarding the surgical treatment of all vascular birthmarks and tumors.



Dr. Stuart Nelson, VBF Co-Medical Director and International Port Wine Stain Laser Specialist
Dr. Nelson will answer your questions concerning the diagnosis and treatment of Port Wine Stains.



Dr. Martin Mihm, VBF Co-Medical Director and Research Director
Dr. Mihm is coordinating and directing research regarding vascular birthmarks and tumors.



Dr. Aaron Fay, Hemangioma and Malformations Eye Surgeon
Dr. Aaron Fay will answer questions concerning eye problems and birthmarks.



Dr. Roy Geronemus, NYC and International Laser Specialist
If you have a question or concern about laser treatments in general, contact Dr. Geronemus.



Dr. Barry Zide, NYC Hemangioma and Malformations Surgeon
If you have a question or concern about hemangioma and vascular malformation treatment in general, contact Dr. Zide.



Dr. Darren Orbach, Pediatric Neurointerventionalist for AVMs and PHACE
VBF is proud to welcome Dr. Orbach!



Corinne Barinaga, VBF Family Services Director
Corinne Barinaga, our Administrative Director, will answer emails concerning family advocacy, treatment questions, or physician referral.



Dr. Robert Rosen, Vascular Lesions of Arms and Legs Interventional Radiologist
Our expert for all non-brain AVMs and vascular lesions of the arms and legs, Dr. Rosen welcomes your questions.



Brian Bolinger, Esq. Director VBF Advocacy Alliance
This alliance is being formed to coordinate legislative, legal, and insurance related issues regarding the diagnosis and treatment of vascular birthmarks and tumors.



Dr. Anne Comi, Sturge Weber Syndrome Specialist
One of the leading experts on Sturge Weber Syndrome, Dr. Comi will be responding to your questions concerning this syndrome.



Dr. Alex Berenstein, Malformations and AVM Interventional Radiologist




Dr. Kami Delfanian, KTS Treatment Specialist
Send your questions concerning KT Syndrome to Dr. Delfanian



Dr. Gary Giangola, KTS Treatment Specialist
If you have questions concerning the surgical treatment of KTS or other vascular lesions of the arms, legs, or trunk, contact Dr Giangola.



Basia Joyce, VBF Insurance Appeals Specialist
Please send your questions regarding your appeal or request for out-of-network treatment to Basia.



Dr. Joseph Edmonds, Lymphatic Malformations Surgeon
Ask Dr. Edmonds your questions related to Lymphatic Malformations.



Dr. Thomas Serena, Wound Care Specialist
Please send Dr. Serena your questions regarding wound care for an ulcerated hemangioma or other vascular birthmark, tumor, or syndrome that requires wound care.



Dr. Orhan Konez, Interventional Radiologist
Questions regarding reading and interpreting films and treating malformations with sclerotherapy or embollization can be sent to Dr. Orhan Konez.



Dr. Jason Mouzakes, Airway Surgeon
Email Dr. Mouzakes with questions regarding airway hemangiomas and other vascular lesions in the airway (throat area).



Dr. Steven Fishman, Internal Lesions Surgeon

Ask Dr. Fishman your questions about liver and other internal vascular lesions.



Dr. Susie Astner, European Laser Specialist
VBF's Ask the Laser Doctor offers expert advice on laser treatments for all vascular birthmarks by Dr. Susie Astner.



Dr. Denise Metry, PHACE Syndrome Specialist
If you have any questions regarding this syndrome, please ask Dr. Metry.



Dr. Stavros Tombris, European Surgeon
Fr. Tombris treats all forms of hemangomas, port wine stains and malformations.



Dr. Stevan Thompson, Military (Tricare) Surgeon
Dr. Stevan Thompson has joined us to answer questions concerning the treatment of vascular birthmarks in the military.



Dr. Helen Figge, Pharmacist
If you or your child has a vascular birthmark and you have a question regarding a prescription drug, please ask Doc Helen Figge.



Dr. Linda Rozell-Shannon, VBF President and Founder
Dr. Linda Rozell-Shannon is the leading lay expert in the world on the subject of vascular birthmarks.



Lex Van der Heijden, CMTC Foundation

If you or your child has CMTC, please contact Lex with your questions.



Leslie Graff, East Coast Developmental Specialist
Leslie is a trained developmental specialist. Send questions concerning port wine stains and this topic to Leslie.



Elissa-Uretsky Rifkin, Midwest Developmental Specialist
Elissa Uretsky- Rifkin, M.Ed. CMHC
is a trained developmental specialist and is on the board of VBF. Send questions concerning hemangiomas and this topic to Elissa.



Kymberly Stephens, Licensed Associate Counselor
Ask our expert Kymberly Stephens about issues stemming from prominent birthmarks, disfigurements, or image related issues associated with genetics, trauma, burn or accident situations.



Nancy Roberts - Make-up Specialist
Ask our expert Nancy Roberts, Co-Creator of Smart Cover Cosmetics (www.smartcover.com), your questions about make-up.



Linda Seidel - Make-up Expert
Ask Linda Seidel your questions about make-up.



Zeina Tannous, M.D., Laser Dermatology Expert
Ask our expert Dr. Tannous, your questions about laser dermatology.



Anna Duarte, M.D., Florida Expert
Ask our expert Dr. Duarte, your questions about receiving treatment in Florida.



Alicita, Spanish Expert
Ask our expert Alicita, your questions in Spanish.



What Our Families Are Saying About Us

"We relied on the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation to provide us with the information, the contacts, the resources, and the support that we needed to get through this difficult time. Their theme, "We are making a difference" couldn't be more accurate. For us, it was all the difference in the world."
Jill Brown


Hi Linda
Just a note to say how wonderful I found the interview of you and Capital 9 news. Thanks so much for your devotion.
Gina




Press Releases

March 2010

Dr. Llinda interviewed for Parent Map



Bell Family Faces Daughter's Painful Condition - part 1

Bell Family Faces Daughter's Painful Condition - part 2

February 2010

VBF quoted in New York Times



August 2009

SheKnows.com features a question and answer session with Dr. Linda
Understanding Vascular Birthmarks on Your Baby

 


Pediatrics for Parents features Dr. Linda
Click here for the pdf version

 


 

Links to advance coverage of Angel's Kiss Gala:

http://listings.guidelive.com/fort-worth-tx/events/show/88469375-angels-...

NBC-TV Dallas Fort Worth
http://events.nbcdfw.com/fort-worth-tx/events/show/88469375-angels-kiss-...

MSN.com
http://thingstodo.msn.com/fort-worth-tx/events/show/88469375-angels-kiss...

MomsOutLoud.com (local TX parenting website)
http://momsoutloud.com/event/9196/Angel%25E2%2580%2599s%2520Kiss%2520Gala

DentonLifestyles.com
http://www.dentonlifestyles.com/2009/09/denton-charity-events/

Fort Worth Key
http://www.keymagfw.com/current/events.html

Fort Worth Child
http://www.fortworthchild.com/calevent.asp?calevtid=12097

Dallas Child
http://www.dallaschild.com/calevent.asp?calevtid=12097

North Texas Child
http://www.northtexaschild.com/calevent.asp?calevtid=12097

Dallas Fort Worth Thrive
http://www.dfwthrivemagazine.com/calevent.asp?calevtid=12097

North Texas Kids
http://www.northtexaskids.com/phpicalendar/day.php?cal=NTK+Event+Calenda...

FortWorth.com
http://www.fortworth.com/FW/calendar/event/active.jsp?Month=8&Year=2009

Fort Worth Downtown Review
http://www.fwdowntownreview.com/www.fwdowntownreview.com/What_To_Do/Entr...


Hospital Removes Girl's Spreading Birthmark
WBZ (CBS-Boston) TV
http://wbztv.com/video/?id=74822@wbz.dayport.com (video)


WBZ (CBS-Boston) Web site
http://wbztv.com/local/birthmark.removal.program.2.973298.html (text story)

The Observer Tribune
November 7, 2008
[PDF Observe1]

The Observer Tribune
November 13, 2008
[PDF Observer]

AOL Living--Parent Dish
November 25, 2008
http://www.parentdish.com/2008/11/25/when-is-a-birthmark-cause-for-concern/

The Times Union
November 30, 2008
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=
745078&category=YTNISKAYUNA&BCCode=LOCAL&newsdate=11/30/2008


The Lake Cities Sun
December 3, 2008
http://www.lakecities.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=86&ArticleID=4238&TM=38193.28

The Saratogian
December 8, 2008

http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2008/12/08/news/doc493c9dcb53133334849222.txt

Vascular Birthmarks Foundation to Host “Mark of Beauty” Gala, Conference AND AUCTION

- Organization Works to Increase Awareness & Support of Serious and Misunderstood Anomaly -

New York -- October 17, 2008 -- The Vascular Birthmarks Foundation (VBF) will be hosting its “Mark of Beauty” Gala and 2008 Vascular Birthmarks Conference on November 14-15, 2008, in Manhattan.

VBF is an organization dedicated to helping children and families affected by birthmarks, tumors, and syndromes receive proper diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Linda Rozell-Shannon founded VBF after her daughter was born with a hemangioma on her lower lip and she was unable to find information on treatment options.

According to Dr. Rozell-Shannon, vascular birthmarks are a largely unreported medical phenomenon that affects one in ten children born annually; with approximately 40,000 being so significant that they require the opinion of a specialist. Since insurance companies frequently deny treatment and because there are so few treatment centers or specialists, many children are left with a severe deformity, breathing difficulties, eating issues, blindness and, in some cases, death.

“During initial diagnosis, 90-95 percent of doctors will say that nothing can be done,” says Dr. Rozell-Shannon. (Shannon earned her PhD in order to help families affected by these lesions.) “There is an urgent need to raise awareness in parents, as well as doctors, that there are critical treatment options available.”

Concerned parents will have an opportunity to have their children examined and diagnosed at the 2008 Vascular Birthmarks Conference on November 15, beginning at 8:30 a.m. This program, which will take place in conjunction with the Vascular Birthmark Institute at Roosevelt, at Beth Israel’s Phillips Ambulatory Care Center branch (10 Union Square East in Manhattan), will also include lectures by the top specialists in the country on the latest information in the diagnosis and treatment of these lesions. (Reservations are required.)

The Mark of Beauty Gala will be held on Friday, November 14 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Hudson Theatre in the Millennium Broadway Hotel New York, 145 West 44th Street in Manhattan. The event will feature a musical performance by stars of “Phantom of the Opera”, hors d’oeuvres and open bar, and a silent auction of celebrity items.

The exciting auction items include guitars signed by Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers; a bat signed by Reggie Jackson; a 2007 New York Giants signed helmet; a Derek Jeter signed and framed New York Yankees jersey; a Sandy Koufax signed and framed L.A. Dodgers jersey; a Magic Johnson signed/encased basketball; a Joe Montana signed/encased 49ers helmet; a David Wright autographed bat; Yankees, Mets, Giants, Jets, Patriots and Red Sox memorabilia; and other many other collectibles.

People can also bid on a NASCAR driving experience; a Fighter Pilot for a Day experience; a trip for 4 to the 2009 Masters; a Sonoma Wine Extravaganza; and VIP tickets to many events.

For information on the clinic, gala, and auction – and to make reservations and obtain tickets – please visit www.birthmark.org or contact Basia Joyce at (518) 374-2062 or basiajim99@nycap.rr.com.

VBF is also seeking corporate sponsors as well as donations of silent auction and gift bag items. (All donations are tax deductible.) Please contact Basia Joyce if you would like to contribute to this organization—which has had such a profoundly positive impact on more than 35,000 families worldwide.

About Vascular Birthmarks Foundation (VBF):

Vascular Birthmarks Foundation (VBF) is the leading not for profit in the world for families afflicted with vascular birthmarks, tumors or syndromes. It is an international organization that networks families to the appropriate medical professionals for evaluation and/or treatment and provides informational resources. VBF also sponsors physician education, research, and programs that promote acceptance for living with a birthmark. Programs include Babies with Birthmarks, Orphans with Birthmarks, and VBF Day of Awareness.

# # #


Evan Ducker Featured on Bay News 9
See the story here

 

Brown Family's Slideshow

April 28, 2004 is a day the Brown family will never forget. It marks the anniversary of Aslynn Brown's surgery to remove a massive hemangioma. Three years later, Aslynn's mother, Jill Brown, made a slideshow to reflect on their journey and the miracle that Dr. Milton Waner performed.

Just as the Brown's will never forget that day, we will never forget Aslynn and the Brown family for sharing their story and bringing awareness for vascular birthmarks.

Slideshow - The Amazing Journey of Aslynn Brown

Donna and Evan Ducker and Buddy Booby Make it Big...

CBS Early Show
CBS Affiliate Story

VBF Gets Referenced in Buddy Booby Birthmark Articles

CBS Early Show
CBS Affiliate Story

PRESS RELEASE

Vascular Birthmarks Foundation Founder to make appearance in Binghamton

Monday December 4, 9:00 am ET

Binghamton, NY – December 4, 2006 – FACES Publications, LLC announced today that Vascular Birthmarks Foundation founder Linda Rozell Shannon will make an appearance at its annual Book Release Party on Thursday December 7, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at the Anthony Brunelli Fine Arts Gallery, 186 State Street in Binghamton.

Rozell Shannon is the President of the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation and is the world's leading lay expert in the field of Vascular Birthmarks. Her remarkable dedication and outreach have made treatment possible for thousands of children all over the world who suffer from various birthmark anomalies. Rozell Shannon wrote the forward in the 2007 edition of FACES of the Southern Tier which will be showcased at the release party.

“We are extremely honored to be hosting Linda Rozell Shannon in Binghamton this week. She has made a phenomenal impact on thousands of children and families all over the world with her tireless efforts in her assistance with finding treatment for vascular birthmarks”, said Roger L. Brooks, editor-in-chief of FACES Publications. “I can attest first hand to the tremendous amount of information my wife and I received from the VBF website when we were trying to find treatment for our daughter in 2002.”

In 1995, with the help of Dr. Martin Mihm, Rozell Shannon started the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation. In 1996, she began her work on a book entitled, "Birthmarks, A Guide to Hemangiomas and Vascular Malformations." Published in 1997, it is still the only publication available on the subject that is written for parents.

For more information on vascular birthmarks, please visit the website at www.birthmarks.org. If you would like to interview Linda Rozell Shannon please contact Roger L. Brooks to make arrangements.

Contact:
Roger L. Brooks
Editor-in-Chief
FACES Publications, LLC
49 Court Street, 2nd FL
Binghamton, NY 13901
Phone: 607.723.0324/ 607.343.7864
http://www.tierfaces.com
roger.brooks@tierfaces.com


First Ever All Birthmarks Conference -- A Chance of a Lifetime

http://prweb.com/releases/2006/10/prweb446886.htm


VBF President and Founder Linda Rozell-Shannon is quoted and referenced in the May 2006 issue of Babytalk magazine (page 15)...a small blurb on birthmark news.

VBF Celebrates 3rd Annual International Awareness Day

Get the press release (pdf)

Interview with Donna Ducker, author of Buddy Booby's Birthmark on Connecticut's News Leader

See the interview


News


Changes, Chance and Charity – Linda’s saga

Read how Linda Rozell-Shannon was inspired to found the VBF and later became the recipient of the prestigious Jefferson Award, considered the Nobel Prize for public and community service.

VBF President/Founder Featured As Walden University's "Making A Difference" Student

Read more here


VBF Gets Million Dollar Donation

VBF President and Founder Linda Rozell-Shannon announced today (November 16, 2005) that an anonymous donation of $1,000,000 for research and physician education has been donated to VBF with Dr. Milton Waner as overseer of the research and physician education programs. Research projects are currently being defined and we will be reporting to you on these programs as they are finalized.

NOTE: This donation is designated for Research and Physician Education. We are very excited about the great strides this money will make in these two program areas. However, we continue to rely on your generous donations to fund our daily operations. Please continue to help us to make a difference by making your annual charitable donation to VBF to fund our daily operations.

First Research Project Funded -
Hear From The Chief Investigator
About The Hope For A Drug to Shrink Hemangiomas And
Eliminate The Need For Surgery!!!

This is a collaborative effort that includes the team of Dr. Milton Waner, Dr. Lou Fink, Dr. Ma, and Dr. Theresa O.

Research Grant Application


Read more here


Linda Rozell-Shannon speaks to Capital News 9!

See the video here

 

 

 
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