This coming Monday, December 7, 2009 is World TTTS Awareness Day and a chance for everyone to take a moment to honor and remember those that have suffered a loss to Twin-to-Twin-Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS).

TTTS is a disease of the placenta that affects identical twin pregnancies.  It occurs when blood and nutrients are not passed equally from the mother to both babies, with one twin receiving a disproportionate amount of the fluid due to the way the blood vessels were formed in the placenta.  This causes stress on both the twin receiving too little fluid, as well as the twin receiving too much fluid, and is usually fatal to one or both twins.

The 2nd Annual Matthew and Steven TTTS Walk for the Babies will also be held as part of World TTTS Awareness Month and sponsored by the TTTS Foundation.  The TTTS Foundation is celebrating 20 years of helping families diagnosed with this fetal syndrome.  Over the years they have helped over 10,000 women and their priority is to educate parents and help to save their babies' lives.

Read more about the TTTS Foundation and World TTTS Awareness Day by downloading a 'sneak peek' look at our Resource Roundup column that is in our upcoming digital holiday issue next week!