Walk brings awareness to common pregnancy disorder

Preeclampsia is a life-threatening hypertensive disorder that occurs during pregnancy, affecting between 5 and 8 percent of pregnancies. Unfortunately, many expectant mothers do not know the symptoms of preeclampsia, and the cause of it is unknown. The Promise Walk for Preeclampsia of Philadelphia, a family-friendly 5K happening in Cherry Hill Saturday, May 2, is looking to change that.

The fourth annual walk supports the Preeclampsia Foundation, a national nonprofit patient advocacy organization for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The foundation works to raise awareness for preeclampsia as well as prompt research into its cause and cure. Money raised from the walk will go toward reducing maternal and infant deaths due to preeclampsia. 

Kristie Worrell, a preeclampsia survivor, and her family will share their story at the start of the walk. Dr. Chileshe Nkonde-Price and Dr. Sindhu K. Srinivas of Penn Medicine will also speak, and Mayor of Cherry Hill Township Chuck Chan will present a proclamation to name May as Preeclampsia Awareness Month. Mayor Michael Nutter has signed a similar proclamation for Philadelphia. Children's activities, coffee, snacks and raffles will be available.

As of Tuesday, April 21, The Promise Walk of Philadelphia has raised more than $29,000 this year, nearly reaching the goal of $30,000. If they surpass this goal, it will set a record for their four years of fundraising.