One of the most effective ways to help this cause is to contact the editor of your largest newspaper and tell them the importance of an article about twin to twin transfusion syndrome in the press. Often articles that are written are picked up by the associated press and carried across the country printed in numerous other newspapers. One article had the potential for millions to read about TTTS.

Mary, Founder, and her family put on the first fundraiser for the fight against TTTS in 1992 in Bay Village, OH. Reporters from the Plain Dealer, Ohio’s largest newspaper, came into the Mayor’s office one day looking for stories. The city was helping to put the event on and they called to do an article about Matthew and Steven, her twins. The article was entitled, “For Matthew and Steven” and made the front page of the Plain Dealer on a Sunday. That alone reached millions of people. However, the article was picked up by the Associated Press and printed all along the East Coast of the United States reaching millions more. If every person who has been through TTTS could get an article in their paper, TTTS would be in the news all year round. That certainly is within our reach. It is also a very special way to be the voice for your babies.

You may use the Media Kit to give to the reporters when you are interviewed so they have the most important message the Foundation wants to have printed in the article. We are stressing the importance of asking the question, “Is there one placenta or two?” when a diagnosis of twins is made. This gives parents the first chance to know if they have a monochorionic placenta. If they do, they are at risk for TTTS until the babies are born. We then advocate weekly ultrasounds from 16 weeks through birth of the babies to check for the signs of TTTS as well as placental share problems. We need to stress the importance of getting past the OB/GYN to the high risk perinatologist doctor who has the detailed ultrasound equipment needed to care for the babies. We can make an incredible difference by keeping TTTS in the media and everyone has the ability and strength to do this. We will help you, just give us a call at 800-815-9211.