Welcome to the Official site of the APS Foundation of America, Inc!

Founded in 2005, The APS Foundation of America, Inc. (APSFA) is the leading United States nonprofit health agency dedicated to bringing national awareness to Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APS), the major cause of multiple miscarriages, thrombosis, young strokes and heart attacks. We are a volunteer run, community based 501(c)3 non-profit Public Charity organization and is dedicated to fostering and facilitating joint efforts in the areas of education, support, public awareness, research and patient services.

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Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome

What is Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APS)? APS is associated with recurrent clotting events (thrombosis) including premature stroke, repeated miscarriages, phlebitis, venous thrombosis (clot in the vein) and pulmonary thromboembolism (blockage of an artery found in the lung due to a clot that has traveled from a vein). It is also associated with low platelet or blood elements that prevent bleeding. Recently, however, even more disease states have been linked with APL including premature heart attack, migraine headaches, various cardiac valvular abnormalities, skin lesions, abnormal movement/chorea, diseases that mimic multiple sclerosis, vascular diseases of the eye that can lead to visual loss and blindness.

APS is an autoimmune disorder in which the body recognizes certain normal components of blood and/or cell membranes as foreign substances and produces antibodies against them. There are two known forms of APS. APS may occur in people with systemic lupus erythematosus, other autoimmune disease, or in otherwise healthy individuals. Sadly, when most people hear about APS and it being referred to as autoimmune disease, they incorrectly confuse the terms autoimmune with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS); or they think this is a form of cancer.

Lack of knowledge and awareness results in needless suffering for persons with APS. Misdiagnosis and / or delayed diagnosis usually result in damage to vital organs. The APS Foundation of America, Inc's vision is to bring national attention to APS as a common factor in multiple miscarriages, thrombosis, young strokes and heart attacks is vital in order to bring a joint effort to research, funding, early detection, and eventually, prevention and cure for APS.

APS is also referred to as APLS or APLA in the United States and Hughes Syndrome or Sticky Blood in the UK.

 

June is APS Awareness Month!

In June we will be celebrating our 7th annual APS Awareness Month! This year we ask how YOU will help us spread awareness. If you are on Twitter then follow us and download our 2012 Tweet sheet and help us tweet our message. If you are on Facebook be sure to Like our page and update your status throughout the month of June for APS Awareness. We also have Facebook Cover graphics available to download on our Facebook page. Wear APS awareness gear. Blog about your experience with APS - especially on June 9th which is WORLD APS DAY! Awareness starts with you. Help us get the word out!

 

The Faces of APS

The service we used to display the "Faces of APS" has closed. We were not given any warning and have lost all of the photos we collected from APS patients and their families. We are in the process of finding another slideshow service. In the meantime, we need to collect photos of APS patients to display on the site. If you would like your picture to be included please contact us via the website, support forum, Facebook, or Twitter for details on where to send the photos. We appreciate your assistance, patience, and continued support!

Click here to see the Faces of APS (on our photo album site) that we have collected so far. We hope to have a slideshow available again soon!

 

Women are more likely than men to be affected by APS. Some estimates say that 75% to 90% of those affected are women. For example, it has been estimated by some doctors that one third of all of young strokes (defined as under the age of 50) are due to APS.

In obstetrics it is estimated by some doctors that up to 25% of all women with 2 or more spontaneous miscarriages have APS. Some doctors believe that 1 in 5 of all Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), Pulmonary Embolism (PE), and even worse, amputations are due to APS. And it is believed that 40-50% of patients with Lupus also have APS. Still, with these statistics, APS rarely is discussed as a women's health issue and is misdiagnosed often. Therefore the total number of people affected and true statistics are unknown really.

 

 


Unique visitors since June, 2005

Page last update: 05/28/2012

The APS Foundation of America, Inc. website and forums are both volunteer run and funded by donations to the APSFA.

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DISCLAIMER: APS Foundation of America, Inc. website is not intended to replace standard doctor-patient visits, physical examination, and medical testing. Information given to members is only an opinion. All information should be confirmed with your personal doctor. Always seek the advice of a trained physician in person before seeking any new treatment regarding your medical diagnosis or condition. Any information received from APS Foundation of America, Inc. website is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure. This site is for informational purposes only. Please note that we will be listing all donor or purchaser's names on the Donor page of our foundation site. If you do not want your name listed, please contact us to opt out. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.

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