Mission Statement

Founded in 2005, the APS Foundation of America, Inc. (APSFA) is dedicated to fostering and facilitating joint efforts in the areas of education, public awareness, research, and patient services for Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) in an effective and ethical manner.

Our goals are to:

• Offer understanding and support to individuals, family, friends, and care givers of Antiphospholipid Syndrome.
• Offer information about and education on Antiphospholipid Syndrome.
• Support research regarding Antiphospholipid Syndrome by keeping the latest information available and referring people to such agencies who do research.
• Raise funds to provide information and education through public donations, grants, fundraisers, sponsorship, and bequests.
• Bring national focus to Antiphospholipid Syndrome in the United States.

The APS Foundation of America, Inc. is the only United States nonprofit health agency dedicated specifically to bringing national awareness to Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS), the major cause of multiple miscarriages, thrombosis, and young strokes and heart attacks. We are a volunteer-run, community-based, non-profit organization.

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 young strokes (defined as under the age of 50) are due to APS.

The total number of obstetric cases 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. 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.  Antiphospholipid Syndrome affects 9 women for every man.  As of 2019, it is estimated 1 in 2000 Americans are affected by APS.

Antiphospholipid Syndrome (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, another autoimmune disease, or in otherwise healthy individuals. Sadly, when most people hear about APS and it being referred to as an autoimmune disease, they incorrectly confuse the term autoimmune with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS); or they think this is a form of cancer.

This lack of knowledge, awareness, and joint effort results in needless suffering for persons with Antiphospholipid Syndrome due to misdiagnosis and/or delayed diagnosis, which usually results 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.

Nondiscrimination Policy

The APS Foundation of America, Inc. emphasizes the dignity and equality common to all persons. The APS Foundation of America, Inc. does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin.