How Families Can Get Involved With the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation (VBF)

The Vascular Birthmarks Foundation (birthmark.org) offers several concrete ways for families to get involved: joining a support or advocacy network, attending a national conference or clinic, fundraising, or donating. The right entry point depends on what you want — peer connection, in-person medical access, or financial support for the organization. VBF describes itself as an international charitable organization that networks families affected by a vascular birthmark, anomaly, or related syndrome to appropriate medical professionals, educates physicians and families about treatment options, supports research, and mobilizes medical missions.

Join a Support or Advocacy Network

If your main goal is to connect with other families or advocate for awareness, VBF lists these community channels:

• Support Groups — for peer connection among affected families.
• Parent Advocacy Network — for parents who want to advocate on birthmark-related issues.
• VBF Adults Living With... — a network for adults living with vascular birthmarks, with a listed Facebook Live session on November 12, 2026 at 12pm ET / 9am PT.
• VBF Chapters — local or regional groups under the VBF umbrella.
• VBF Global Ambassadors — an international representative role.

These are the lowest-commitment ways to get involved, since they are participation-based rather than donation-based.

Attend a Conference, Clinic, or Event

VBF runs both national and international gatherings, plus recurring virtual events:

Note that the Super Clinic registration is shown as closed for 2026, so if you want to attend a future clinic, check the Conferences & Clinics page for the next open registration rather than assuming the NYC date is still available.

Fundraise or Donate

If you want to support VBF financially, the site lists multiple giving routes:

• Donate Now — the direct donation option, also reachable via the "Donate Today" button.
• Raise Funds and Awareness — a fundraising pathway.
• Share Your Birthday and Ambassador Birthday Fundraisers — turn a birthday into a fundraiser.
• Give2myVBF Fundraisers — a dedicated fundraiser channel.
• Become a VBF Champion — a supporter role.
• Become a Sponsor — listed under Conferences & Clinics, aimed at event sponsorship.

The site does not publish pricing or payment details for these options in the material available, so confirm amounts and methods on the donation page itself.

Share Your Story or Raise Awareness

For families who want to contribute their experience or spread awareness, VBF lists:

• Share Your Story — submit a personal account.
• Awareness Tool-Kit — resources for awareness efforts.
• #PutOnYourBirthmark — an awareness campaign.
• More Than A Birthmark and the Anti-Bullying Pledge — awareness and anti-bullying initiatives.
• VBF Children's Library — a resource for children.
• Vascular Birthmarks Legislative Initiative — advocacy at the legislative level.

These are useful if you want your experience to help other families or push for broader awareness, rather than only seeking support for yourself.

Get Information Before You Commit

If you are still deciding how to engage, VBF's resource pages can help you orient first:

• Types of Birthmarks — covers hemangioma, port wine stain, venous malformation, arteriovenous malformation (AVM), Sturge-Weber syndrome, cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita (CMTC), lymphatic malformation (lymphangiomas), Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS), and PHACE syndrome.
• New Parent Packages and Fact Sheets — introductory materials.
• Find A Doctor and Ask the VBF Experts — for medical evaluation and treatment questions.
• Insurance Claims and Appeals — guidance on insurance issues.
• Travel Assistance for KTS — support for travel related to KTS care.

A practical sequence for a newly affected family: start with the Types of Birthmarks and New Parent Packages pages to understand the condition, use Find A Doctor or Ask the VBF Experts for medical direction, then join a Support Group or the Parent Advocacy Network for peer connection. If you later want to give back, the fundraising and awareness options above are the natural next step.