MONTEL and Voices Honors VBF Founder Linda Rozell-Shannon

Linda Rozell-Shannon, President and Founder of the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation (VBF), was honored on The Montel Williams Show (MONTEL) as one of five finalists of the 2007 Voices campaign. Voices--One voice can lead to a chorus for change® is an annual campaign that honors women across America for their passion, leadership and achievements as everyday women who raise their voice to create positive change. The campaign is sponsored by Charming Shoppes, the parent company of Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Catherines and Petite Sophisticate.

Rozell-Shannon was chosen as one of the five finalists from thousands of entrants. She appeared on MONTEL on February 22, 2008, where Charming Shoppes CEO Dorrit Bern presented each finalist with a $20,000 charitable grant for their organization. Each finalist also received a trip for two to New York City to appear on MONTEL, and a four day “Dream Come True” vacation to Walt Disney World® Resort.

The VBF was founded by Rozell-Shannon in September of 1994, after her new-born daughter, Christine Mary Shannon, was diagnosed with a hemangioma. At that time, there was no website, no comprehensive foundation, and no book for parents on this subject. Since then, she has become known as the world's leading lay expert in the field of such vascular birthmarks as hemangiomas, port wine stains; and venous, lymphatic and arterio-venous malformations. VBF is currently the leading not for profit in the world for children and adults with vascular birthmarks, receiving over one million hits on their website each month (www.birthmark.org). Over the past 14 years, Rozell-Shannon has worked with the foundation to network over 25,000 patients into medical treatment and has co-authored the first book written for parents on the subject of hemangiomas and vascular malformations. She has also written a chapter in a medical textbook on this subject, and has co-authored numerous medical journals. Furthermore, she has helped to establish VBF worldwide chapters and multi-disciplinary treatment centers. She was honored in 2005 with the Regional Jefferson Award, presented by Senator Hillary Clinton. This year, Rozell-Shannon will complete her Ph.D. in Education from Walden University, focusing her dissertation study on vascular birthmarks.

See what our friends and viewers had to say....

http://www.montelshow.com/

I saw you Linda on the clip to today's program...

Now, for those of you who live in the NJ area.....watch LINDA at

1:00 on Channel 9 if you live in NJ!! ---NO EXCUSES.....WITH THIS BIG SNOW STORM, WE CAN'T GO ANYWHERE!!! WATCH YOUR TV!!

Beth
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I watched the show and you were wonderful! Congrats again. All the women's stories were very inspirational. It all got me back on track and fired up to do more to get Buddy sold and distributed!

Take Care!

Donna

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Cody and I are watching you on Montel right now!!!! How awseome!!! You look so beautiful - your hair, skin. Way to go!! I ran into a woman in the bathroom, who said someone that used to work at DMV saw you on Montel this morning also.

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Hi Linda,
Just wanted to say Congratulations on a beautiful interview on Montel Williams, I just got done watching it and I recorded it for Bill. It was a really beautiful segment, I was so happy and proud for you, you really deserve to be noticed and commemorated on the wonderful things that you do and
the great accomplishments that you've made. I also wanted to Thank you so very much for all the help that you have given to Billy Jr.. Please don't ever
think that it goes unnoticed or unappreciated, Billy did say that if he gets the job, he will definitely take you out to lunch:)
Well again, congratulations and enjoy Disney World, that is just fantastic.

Hugs,
Paula

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YOU WERE BRILLIANT!!!!!

Applauds to you!

Elissa

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Dear Linda,

I saw you on the Montel Show today. I didn't get to see the end of the show
so I don't know if you won the award or not. I hope you did. I commend you
for being such a great advocate and for educating parents, doctors, and the
general public about these birth defects! I hope someone watching who needed help -- found it today!

I too was born with a hemangioma of the mouth. I am a 54 yr. old adult woman now but have undergone multiple surgeries and also seen several doctors throughout my lifetime. I continued to pursue reconstructive surgery until present and my last reconstructive lip surgery was in 2003. Fortunately, I was very lucky to have had a wonderful mother who constantly monitored the growth of my tumor and took me for treatment regularly. Back then, there were no lasers only the scapel and ether, which was used for anesthesia. The doctors tried some experimental procedures but none successed in stopping the tumor's growth. I've had over 40 surgeries. Luckily, my first doctor enrolled me in a state-funded program through KY's Health & Human Services Dept. (aka Social Services) and all my surgeries were paid for at no cost to my parents. This program covered me until age 18. There are state programs that many children born with birth defects qualify for. I have a friend who has a son with a heart defect. She was able to take advantage of the program for him as well. I did not read anything on your website about this being another option for parents. Especially, for low income families. You may want to check into this. I can give you more information about it and would be happy to volunteer my time to research anything.

After age 18, I started working and every employer health insurance plan covered my surgeries because they were due to a congenital birth defect. I've also worked in the health insurance industry for over 25 years and have thorough knowledge of employer group health plan language regarding coverages, medical claim payment, etc. and currently work for a consulting firm that audits major insurance companies medical claim payments. I would be happy to assist your organization by volunteering this knowledge for such a great cause. It would be wonderful if I could give back to something I believe so strongly in since I have had the life experience. I recently lost my beloved Dr. Gerald Verdi (plastic surgeon) who helped me tremendously during my life. He was my doctor since I was a teenager. I would love to do something to honor his memory and the wonderful work he has done for so many children and adults who have suffered with these typ of birth defects. I would love to hear from you and also meet you as well. I hope you can find the time to at least acknowledge my email.

Sincerely,
Janet

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Dear Mrs. Linda Rozell-Shannon,

I saw you on the Montel Williams program today. I was deeply moved by the work you have done. I just found the website. If you ever need a volunteer to translate for you, please remember me.

Wishing you and your program all the best,
Elizabeth

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We saw you on Montel yesterday and want to thank you for continuing to be a voice on behalf of the so many families that are affected by hemangiomas.

Sydney is having her 5th treatment in a couple of weeks and Dr. Waner and Dr. Blei are so happy with her progress.

We look forward to being involved and doing our part to effect change in the way the children fraught with these conditions are cared for.

Congratulations on being selected for the program and we wish you continued success as you pursue your mission.

Best regards,

Jeremy

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Yahoo, you were great! I would like to tape it if I can find it on television again. I'm impressed! Three pats and a hug from your Minnesota friend,

maria

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I stayed home this morning with a cold and turned on the TV.
Congratulations-I find you to be very inspiring. I went to Montel's website
just to send you a note about how impressed I am by all that you have
accomplished. I am sure that your efforts will help make better and happier
lives for many, many people.

~Anne

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Oh by the way I just want to let you know that I found out about your vascular birthmark foundation through the Montel Williams show on Friday. That whole entire show was very touching, especially when it came to you and about your foundation. I was crying because I could relate with these children because of my own daughter having a hemangioma. Those children on the show were beautiful with the birthmarks on their face but after they got their hemangioma's removed, they were unbelievably beautiful. You are truly a miracle worker. We need more good people like you in the world Linda, and with you and the help with these Dr's you all are giving these babies/children a chance at a normal life.

Kristy

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Linda:

I just wanted to tell you that you did a fantastic job on the Montel Show. You looked wonderful and spoke so well. We are all very proud of you.

Also, the segment they showed with Christine was very nice. Christine is such a beautiful girl. Please let her know that she did a wonderful job and that we are also very proud of her. I was so impressed with the way she handled herself on camera and the way she spoke about the VBF and you. Not many young girls could handle themselves so well.

Love to you both,
Glenda