Article updated: 5/18/2012 11:06 AM

Busse Woods walk raises awareness of preeclampsia

Buy this photo Buy this photo
next prev 2 of 5
   

Jasmine Mago, of Hoffman Estates, surrounded by family and friends at the Chicago Promise Walk for preeclampsia awareness in 2011. Mago delivered her son, Kabir, at 28 weeks due to preeclampsia, a sometimes fatal complication that affects pregnant women.

Courtesy of the Mago Family

Gallery Image

Johanna Aiken, of Evanston, holds daughter Macy shortly she was born in 2003. Macy's delivery was fraught with peril after Aiken discovered she had preeclampsia. Aiken later spent three days in critical care.

Courtesy of the Aiken family

Jasmine Mago, of Hoffman Estates, holds her son, Kabir, a few weeks after he was born in 2010. Mago was forced to give birth to Kabir at 28 weeks after learning she had preeclampsia, a sometimes fatal condition that affects pregnant women.

Courtesy of the Mago family

Jasmine Mago, of Hoffman Estates, her husband, Sony, and their son, Kabir. Jasmine delivered Kabir at 28 weeks due to preeclampsia, a sometimes fatal complication that affects pregnant women. Last year the family found support at the Chicago Promise Walk for preeclampsia awareness.

Courtesy of the Mago Family

Johanna Aiken, of Evanston, her husband, Tim, and their daughter, Macy, at last year's Chicago Promise Walk. The walk raises awareness of preeclampsia, a sometimes fatal condition that affects pregnant women. Aiken survived preeclampsia while giving birth to Macy in 2003.

Courtesy of the Aiken family

About this Article

Johanna Aiken's doctor called her pregnancy picture perfect. But when she went into labor at 38 weeks, a complication she knew very little about came on suddenly and threatened her life. Preeclampsia affects seven to 10 percent of pregnant women and can range from very mild to potentially fatal for both the mother and the baby. Aiken is the coordinator for Sunday's Chicago Promise Walk in Busse Woods, one of 36 walk and 5k run events being held nationwide in May as part of Preeclampsia Awareness Month.