LHS Grad Spearheads Walk for Preeclampsia

Larry Bloomstein, a 1996 Livingston High School graduate, and son of Linda and Richard Bloomstein of Livingston, and his infant daughter, Hailey, has been named the 2013 NJ Promise Walk for Preeclampsia Mission Family.

On Sunday, May 19, Bloomstein will lead the Promise Walk campaign by sharing his story and encouraging teams around the state to meet or exceed their fundraising goals.

Bloomstein’s wife, Lauren, developed preeclampsia at the end of her pregnancy.

Preeclampsia is a condition where a pregnant woman develops high blood pressure and protein in the urine after the 20th week of pregnancy. In Lauren’s case, the condition progressed rapidly into a severe variant known as HELLP syndrome.

Even after delivery, Lauren's blood pressure continued to rise to critically high levels, and just five hours later, the new mother suffered a fatal stroke.

“Traumatized, I had to leave the hospital to plan Lauren's funeral and figure out how to provide for the needs of a newborn,” said Bloomstein.

While searching for answers, he found the Preeclampsia Foundation.

“I attended the 2012 Cranford, NJ Promise Walk with Hailey and was amazed to find that we were not alone,” said Bloomstein.

While there, he heard numerous families sharing stories of delays in diagnosis. “I was saddened by the long-term effects preeclampsia had on both mother and baby, many of which could have been preventable with immediate care. I knew that I wanted to take action to help other women like Lauren.”

“It is unacceptable that an average of two women die during childbirth each day in the U.S.” said Bloomstein. “Together we are working to make all pregnant women aware of this condition, so they look for the early warning signs and make sure their health care providers can identify and take action early to save the lives of mom and baby.”

Bloomstein will kick off the festivities and share his story at the 5K walk at Oak Ridge Park in Clark.

For more information or to register to walk or donate, click here.