MT. FREEDOM, N.J./EWORLDWIRE/May 11, 2005 --- The Sturge-Weber Foundation, the leading international not-for-profit organization dedicated to serving those with Port Wine Stains, Sturge Weber and Klippel-Trenaunay syndromes, today announced that board member Erin Rosas has been named winner of the "Stonyfield Woman with Organic Style Readers' Voice" award given by Stonyfield Farms Yogurt and Organic Magazine. "We are so pleased for Erin, as our foundation has been the beneficiary of all her hard work and efforts. Erin has been key in helping us support the more than 6000 patients, parents and medical professionals who depend on the information, counseling and referral network that we have provided since 1987," said Karen L. Ball, founder and president of the Foundation.
"Birth defects such as port wine stains, Sturge-Weber and Klippel-Trenaunay syndromes can be devastating to individuals who have them, and their families. Our foundation exists to help them quickly locate the latest information, treatment and support. In addition, a large percentage of our donations helps fund research into the causes of and potential cures for these crippling diseases," she added.
About Erin Rosas
Erin Rosas is a board member of The Sturge-Weber Foundation and medical research director of The KT Foundation, two organizations that help people with rare disorders. She has flown children to the U.S. from all parts of the world for medical care.
Born with the rare birth defect, Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome, in 1996 she suffered a stroke, and since then has experienced seizures, heart complications, and pain. But that doesn't stop this mother of two from caring for her family and their organic cattle farm in Marion County, Florida, or from advising doctors, researchers, and the public about the effects of chemicals and growth hormones in our diets. In a letter nominating her for the award, her husband Alphonso said: "She never expects anything in return. She always says, 'I've already been paid.'"
Rosas incorporated The Expert Source(www.theexpertsource.net), a company that works nationally with law firms, corporations, government entities and insurance companies as an expert referral service, and provides litigation support, case preparation services and research. In addition, she and her husband manage an organic food business. Rosas has been on the board of The Sturge-Weber Foundation since 2004.
About The Sturge-Weber Foundation
The mission of the not-for-profit Sturge Weber-Foundation is to improve the quality of life for individuals with Port Wine Stains (PWS), Sturge-Weber Syndrome (SWS), and Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome (KT). Since the Foundation's founding in 1987, it has experienced a 15% yearly increase in the need for information and telephone counseling services. Donations also allow the Foundation to provide:
-Continuing education to improve patients' quality of life
-Improving support for the network of dermatologists, pediatricians, ophthalmologists and neurologists, genetic counselors, nurses and educators
-Research grants in the areas of gene expression, angiogenesis, laser treatment, brain imaging, glaucoma and other studies
-Patient pamphlets and multi-media materials
-Physician referrals to patients and parents for treatments
-Special support to severely-challenged families
-24/7 web site available to newly diagnosed patients and their parents in English, French and Spanish (www.sturge-weber.com)
About Organic Style
Organic Style, published by Rodale Inc., is a magazine for women who value individual style, true health and well-being, and authentic, wholehearted living. www.organicstyle.com
About Stonyfield Farm
Stonyfield Farm provides the products and tools necessary to help inspire women to take care of themselves, and in turn contribute to positive efforts in their communities and around the world.
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