NEW YORK, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Vascular Birthmarks Foundation (VBF) is hosting its biennial "Mark of Beauty" Gala on Friday, October 8, 2010 and its annual Vascular Birthmarks Conference on Saturday, October 9, 2010 in Manhattan.  

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100929/DC72967)

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100929/DC72967)

According to VBF President and Founder Linda Rozell-Shannon, Ph.D, "vascular birthmarks are the most common birth defect of infancy affecting one in 10 children; approximately 40,000 being so significant that they require the opinion of a specialist."

Families affected by a vascular birthmark have an opportunity to receive an informal diagnosis at the 2010 Vascular Birthmarks Conference on Saturday, October 9, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The conference is co-sponsored by Dr. Roy Geronemus of the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of NY and held at the NYU campus at 550 First Avenue.  Speakers include top specialists in the world concerning the diagnosis and treatment of these lesions. Registration is open to affected families and any medical professionals.

To coincide with the conference, the VBF Mark of Beauty Gala will be held on Friday, October 8, 2010 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Hudson Theatre in the Millennium Broadway Hotel at 145 West 44th St. The gala will feature a musical performance by stars of "Wanda's World" an off-Broadway musical about a tween with a birthmark, as well as solo performances by individuals with birthmarks.  

Marc and Hyleri Katzenberg Chair this year's Mark of Beauty Gala. Through their efforts, an exclusive VBF "Mark of Beauty Auction" will run on-line through Charity Buzz, the leading celebrity based on-line auction house that raises funds for charities from September 30th thru October 14th.  Proceeds will benefit VBF.  A few of the exciting items offered include tickets and a meet and greet with Michael Bolton, VIP tickets to the world premiere of Burlesque (starring Cher),  a visit to next season's Project Runway, plus other incredible items.  

    VBF will be honoring Gregory Levitin, M.D. as the 2010 VBF Physician of the Year.  "We are thrilled to honor Dr. Levitin, who over the years has made such a profound impact on the lives of so many children and families faced with the difficult and serious realities of a vascular birthmark," said Dr. Linda Rozell-Shannon, Founder and President of VBF.  "His own daughter was affected by a hemangioma; so he is not only a world-renowned expert in the treatment of vascular birthmarks, he is also a compassionate and caring individual with a unique bond to families dealing with these often disfiguring lesions."

Dr. Gregory Levitin is the former Co-Director of Surgical Services at the Vascular Birthmark Institute of NY, and is now the Director of the Hemangioma and Vascular Birthmark Center of California.  He has recently announced the future opening of The Hemangioma and Vascular Birthmark Center of New York in April 2011.  

For information concerning gala, conference, or charity buzz auction, please visit www.birthmark.org

SOURCE Vascular Birthmark Foundation

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http://www.birthmark.org