Action on Pre-eclampsia was set up in 1991 by Isabel Walker and Professor Chris Redman. Isabel lost her first baby as a result of pre-eclampsia and was surprised to find out that there was no information and support for women who had suffered like her. As a medical journalist, Isabel sought out Chris Redman and between them they wrote "Pre-eclampsia - the Facts". Action on Pre-eclampsia was formed later in order to raise public and professional awareness, improve care, and ease or prevent physical and emotional suffering caused by the disorder.

Sixteen years on our aims remain the same. Our helpline and befriender service supports thousands of women throughout the UK and the world each year. Our education programme for midwives continues to offer vital specialist training and we continue to have world leaders in the field as speakers. Our information is distributed throughout the UK and the world and now includes pre-eclampsia information in over 20 different languages available via our website and on CDRom. We also have a role in influencing policy and good practice. Our PRECOG Guidelines have altered practice throughout the country and have been well received by clinicians and women.

There is, however, a long way to go. Pre-eclampsia continues to be the most common of the serious complications of pregnancy and impacts on thousands of women in the UK each year. Worldwide the figures are stark. It is estimated that 4,000,000 have pre-eclampsia every year. 100,000 of these go on to have eclamptic fits. Every 6 minutes a woman dies as a result of pre-eclampsia.

As an organisation we will continue to campaign and lobby for more money for research and education. If you would like to support this important campaign, why not become a friend or a member? The annual cost is £20 and your money will help greatly to ensure that we can continue our work to support women who have had pre-eclampsia and support the research that one day will help the many women who suffer from the disorder.