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The Global Ambassadors are a network of advocates for the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation who work together to raise awareness about vascular birthmarks, anomalies, and related syndromes (VBARS) all while cultivating a supportive community. This network is comprised of people living with a vascular birthmark, as well as friends and family members who have a loved one affected by VBARS. We are organized into five fundamental committees, which are led by members of the VBF Global Ambassador Council. Our council is composed of the most active advocates within the Global Ambassador program who donate extra commitment time towards maintaining program engagement. Each committee initiative serves the purpose of expanding our reach and spreading awareness about VBARS, while supporting the mission of the VBF. Our committees consist of Regional & Virtual Meet Ups, Awareness, Fundraising, Ask/Accept Anti-Bullying, and the Parent Advocacy Network. The VBF Global Ambassador Program supports the VBF mission, provides helpful resources to our network, and amplifies Dr. Linda Rozell-Shannon’s vision.

Regional and Virtual Meet Ups organizes, facilitates, and encourages members of the VBF Global Ambassador community to connect through channels beyond social media such as Zoom meetings or in person local meet ups. 

Fundraising helps our community raise funds for VBF through online and in person events which goes towards our mission of networking those affected by a vascular birthmark, anomaly or related syndrome (VBARS) to the appropriate medical professionals for evaluation and possible treatment.

Awareness is designed to help educate, spread VBF resources as well as expand the VBF Global Ambassador program by connecting Ambassadors with areas of interest in the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation network.

Ask/Accept Anti-Bullying promotes a ‘Bully-Free’ zone and will raise awareness in regards to handling bullying, acceptance and provide support within the community.

Parent Advocacy Network is a safe space created to help navigate the journey for parents and families with children affected by VBARS.

Search this page to find someone local – or with whom you’d like to connect – to learn more about:

  • Physicians in your area who can help to medically manage vascular birthmark cases
  • Their experience living with a vascular birthmark
  • VBF’s Day/Month of Awareness, Put on Your Birthmark, Buddy Booby Read-Along, Ask/Accept anti-bullying, and other birthmark advocacy and awareness programs
  • Fundraising events in support of VBF – create a Birthday Fundraiser and get some awesome VBF Global Ambassador swag!
  • And much more!

If you or someone in your family has a birthmark and you’d like to speak with others who have had a similar experience, the Global Ambassadors can also help find personal support from other patients and families based on their own unique experiences.

NEWSLETTERS

AWARENESS

RESOURCES

CONTACT

  • Want to learn more about the VBF Global Ambassadors? For any questions or feedback, please contact:

Scott Cupples
Director, VBF Global Ambassador Program
scott@birthmark.org

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Batool Kaushal, India, None

I am Batool Kaushal from India. I have lived 54 years of life handling bleeding and pain due to Arteriovenous Malformation of my Pelvis, right leg and foot. I had four surgeries before attaining the age of four. Doctors presumed it to be rectal piles and the bleeding did not stop, till I was operated for pelvic hemangiomas at the age of 18. Eight hour long surgery stopped my profuse bleeding but my leg and foot AVM continued to give me severe pain, till I found Vascular Birthmark Foundation online and approached Dr. Linda, who arranged my leg surgery at Lenox hill hospital in NYC, in 2014. I continue to get advice from AVM team of VBF. I wish to support and help children and adults with Birthmarks in India and around the globe, so that patients like me do not suffer due to lack of awareness and medical aid anywhere in India and abroad.

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Becca Ask, United States, Minnesota

I was adopted as a baby from Seoul, South Korea. In Korea my birthmark was considered ‘special needs’. I grew up in a small town in northern Minnesota not only not only as a different ethnicity than my peers but also with a large facial birthmark.

As I grew up, my birthmark became something I was self conscious of. I began wearing makeup as a security blanket, something to hide behind. After college, I began experimenting with makeup as a creative outlet. I slowly began to share myself with and without makeup hoping to inspire those around me to learn to love themselves.

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Betsy Lamb, United States, North Carolina

When my son Jeremy was born the doctors immediately noticed that he had a slight drooping on the left side of his face. As a result, he was misdiagnosed and it was only after several different visits to doctors that we found that he had a venous malformation. He’s had several treatments and is now 14 years old and going into high school and thriving.

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Bianca Antonella Celentano Sosa, Uruguay, None

Hi, I’m Bianca from Uruguay, and I am 18 years old. I have a PWS, and because of a lack of treatment facilities I traveled to Chile to get laser. As a child, my mother trained me how to respond when people asked me questions about my birthmark. I was bullied, called a monster, and kids even made a song about me. Even after all of that, today I see my birthmark as special and pretty, and I don’t let it bother me. Now I’m in college, and I don’t wear makeup, and can’t imagine my face without my birthmark, because it makes me, me. I hope in becoming an Ambassador, I will meet Latinos and others, to show my support like the VBF supported me. Let’s celebrate our beauty, no matter our appearance. With love – Bianca.

 

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Bianca Celentano, Uruguay, None

My name is Bianca and I was born with an angioma. I have traveled to Chile to do my laser treatments, so it is better now. All my life I have been bullied for that and now I am 18 years old and I decided not put make up on my birthmark anymore. It is hard because I feel fear about this but now I am feeling so free. I was looking on Instagram, and found pages for birthmarks and personal accounts, which makes me feel more confident. I want to say to all people that all bodies and skins are beautiful. Show who you are, you are perfect and unique the way you are.

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Bishoy Alfons, Egypt, None

My name is Bishoy Alfons Adib, a young Egyptian man. I was born with a disease called ¨Sturge Weber Syndrome¨ (Hemangioma). When I was a kid, I didn’t know why other kids were afraid of me and avoided me. Some looked at me with compassion and others with disgust. So I started wondering why? My parents and teachers encouraged me not to suffer from depression.

When I was older, I understood my status, I realized that I was different and that God had given me a great gift, and this gave me great joy. For example, my face stained by the syndrome made me very well known and unforgettable in all my surroundings. Therefore, I had many friends. Since then, I stopped thinking that my face was a problem, because God created me in this form and blessed me in such a way.

I’m here to share more of my story. If you have any questions for me, don’t hesitate to reach out.

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Bree Rodas, United States, Georgia

My son Jackson was born with a port wine stain. His doctors all assured us that the likelihood of him having Sturge-Weber Syndrome was very rare due to the size of the port wine stain. He was diagnosed at 4 months after a cluster of seizures. I now know that size of a port wine stain has nothing to do with brain involvement.

I would like to become an ambassador to help spread awareness and education about PWS, as well as Sturge Weber Syndrome.

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Brenna Eaves, United States, Iowa

My name is Brenna, and I am 22 years old. I have a Port Wine Stain that covers a large portion of the right side of my face. So far, I have had 10 laser treatments on my birthmark and only get them as needed. It took me a long time to accept myself and my birthmark but now, I am so confident and couldn’t imagine myself without it. Of course, not everything has been easy as a result, but that’s just pushed me to do and try harder. My birthmark does not define me, but it sure has helped me become who I am today!

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Britteny Dennis, United States, Alabama

I am 25 years old and was born with a port wine stain birthmark. I was always supported by my family and friends growing up but strangers were less kind. Middle school and high school was tough. After graduating I really found myself and the beauty in my birthmark and started to really embrace it . Some days I cover it with makeup still, but now when I do it’s no longer because I don’t like it . I know with or without that makeup I am so beautiful and blessed .

To all the little girls and boys growing up with one now , I know kids are mean . But you are so much more special and beautiful and unique because of it and God gave it to you because he knew you were strong enough to handle all that life will throw at you ❤️

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Brittney Dailey, United States, Nebraska

My daughter Kennedy was born in 2014 with Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma, KHE with Kasabach-Merritt syndrome. She was diagnosed correctly at a month old and spent many months in the hospital on steroids and chemotherapy (vincristine). After endless tweaks to her treatment, she was finally stabilized and able to go home. She suffered with extremely low platelet counts and internal hemorrhaging until she was stabilized. Currently she is thriving with little to no medical intervention as we call her KHE dormant. We are well aware of its ability to awaken, which would require her to start treatment again. We have documented her story on Facebook at Kennedy Dailey And The Search For A Cure To KHE.

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