Pregnancy is meant to be a time filled with hope, preparation, and dreams for the future. For many families, it is a season of excitement as they prepare to welcome a new little one into the world. Yet for thousands of mothers each year, that journey can become unexpectedly complicated by a condition called preeclampsia.
Preeclampsia is a serious hypertensive disorder that occurs during pregnancy and the postpartum period. It is most often characterized by a rapid rise in blood pressure and can lead to serious health complications for both mother and baby. Related disorders such as gestational hypertension, HELLP syndrome, and eclampsia also require close monitoring and medical care.
In the United States, preeclampsia and related hypertensive disorders impact about 5 to 8 percent of all births. It remains one of the leading causes of maternal and infant health complications, and worldwide it contributes to a significant number of preterm births each year.
What makes awareness so important is that many complications can be prevented with early recognition and proper care. Studies show that a large percentage of maternal deaths related to preeclampsia are preventable, yet only about 10 percent of women are familiar with the symptoms.
These numbers remind us how powerful education and community support can be. When families know what to look for and healthcare providers are equipped with the right tools and training, outcomes improve. That is exactly why organizations like the Preeclampsia Foundation are so vital.
The Preeclampsia Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to training healthcare providers, educating patients, and conducting and funding research to ensure hypertensive disorders no longer threaten the lives of mothers and their babies.
What is the Promise Walk?
The Promise Walk for Preeclampsia™ supports the mission of the Preeclampsia Foundation as they improve the outcomes of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy by educating, supporting and engaging the community, improving healthcare practices, and finding a cure. Every year cities all over the United States host a Promise Walk event to raise awareness locally in the community and raise money to find a cure. All proceeds from the Promise Walks go directly to the Preeclampsia Foundation.
Here on Florida’s Space Coast, home to the Preeclampsia Foundation office located in Melbourne, our community hosts a Promise Walk event each year. Families from across the county come together to spread awareness about preeclampsia and other potentially life threatening hypertensive disorders in women.
The 2026 Space Coast Promise Walk will be held on May 16 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Cocoa Civic Center in Cocoa Village. This free, family friendly event welcomes everyone and includes complimentary breakfast and drinks, children’s activities, an awareness walk, and more.
As a brand dedicated to caring for children and supporting families, we are honored to stand alongside this mission. We will have a small booth at this year’s event and look forward to connecting with families in our community while supporting this important cause.
We hope you will join us as we come together to raise awareness and support healthier futures for mothers and babies.
You can keep up to date with all event details linked below!
The Preeclampsia Foundation- Home - Preeclampsia Foundation
Space Coast Promise Walk for Preeclampsia- 2026 Promise Walk
*Images taken by Kate Kharlamova owner of Red Hat Studio
