World Anemia Awareness

Mom’s Blood Health, My Future: Why 9 Days Could Save 70,000 Lives

Mom's Blood Health, My Future: Why 9 Days Could Save 70,000 Lives

Every 2 minutes, a mother dies from preventable complications. That’s over 280,000 women each year who never come home to their families. Among these tragic losses, postpartum hemorrhage alone claims 70,000 maternal lives annually. These deaths could often be prevented with better awareness, preparation, and blood health optimization.

Today, we’re launching something that could change these statistics forever.“Mom’s Blood Health, My Future”, is a groundbreaking 9-day global awareness campaign running September 1-9, 2025. The campaign brings together healthcare professionals from around the world to share life-saving insights that every pregnant woman needs to know.

The Hidden Crisis Threatening Mothers Worldwide

Behind every maternal mortality statistic lies a devastating truth. 40% of pregnant women worldwide are iron deficient, yet most don’t know until complications arise. According to the World Health Organization, this preventable condition affects millions of pregnancies every year. It creates a domino effect of risks for both mothers and babies.

The Global Picture

The numbers tell a stark story:

Southeast Asia

48% of pregnant women are anemic – the highest rate globally

Europe

Despite advanced healthcare systems, 35% of pregnant women are still affected

United States

Maternal mortality rates continue climbing, with iron deficiency playing a significant role in preventable complications

Real Stories, Real Impact: Learning from Shared Experiences

One of the most powerful aspects of maternal health education comes from hearing real experiences from women who’ve faced these challenges. Healthcare organisations and pharmaceutical companies increasingly recognize the value of patient storytelling, which raises awareness about conditions like iron deficiency.

CSL Vifor is a company dedicated to iron deficiency education and research, and they recently shared Christine’s story as part of their ongoing commitment to patient awareness. Her experience illustrates why early recognition matters.

Christine's iron deficiency is now behind her

Christine’s Story

Picture this: You’re in your early 40s with two young children, and your weekly runs—your sanctuary—suddenly become impossible.

This was Christine’s reality. “I didn’t know what happened, but I was so tired,” she recalls. Like so many mothers, she rationalized it away: “My life was difficult with two young children, so I thought maybe it’s just to be a mother that makes me so tired.”

But when her hair loss accelerated, she finally sought help. The diagnosis? Iron deficiency.

“When I knew from the doctor that it was iron deficiency, I felt relieved because I knew it’s easily treatable,” Christine explains. That relief speaks to the fear so many carry—that unexplained symptoms might mean something serious and permanent.

Today, she’s back to what she loves: “I enjoy being in the nature, being alone with no noise, nobody talking to me, no music—just only me and myself.”

Her advice is direct: “I would advise to consult a doctor if they felt so tired because you worry for nothing, so it’s better to know.”

Sometimes the most profound relief comes from simple answers we’ve been afraid to seek.

Story shared courtesy of CSL Vifor’s patient education initiatives

 

Christine’s journey from exhaustion to recovery demonstrates exactly why our “Mom’s Blood Health, My Future” campaign focuses on early awareness and education. When women understand the signs and know to seek help, iron deficiency becomes a manageable condition rather than a hidden crisis.

The Devastating Impact on Children

But here’s what makes this crisis even more heartbreaking: iron deficiency during pregnancy doesn’t just affect birth weight, it can permanently affect a child’s cognitive development and learning ability. These learning difficulties can last a lifetime, affecting everything from school performance to future career opportunities.

When pregnant mothers are iron deficient, their babies’ brains simply can’t develop properly, which affects intelligence, memory, and learning ability that may never fully recover. We’re not just talking about tired moms – we’re talking about an entire generation of children whose potential is being stolen before they’re even born.

Healthcare Professionals Unite: The Global Voice for Change

The campaign marks something unprecedented: healthcare professionals from nine countries coming together to share knowledge that could prevent thousands of deaths. From frontline nurses to leading hematologists, emergency physicians to maternal health specialists, these experts are breaking down the barriers that keep life-saving information from reaching the women who need it most.

Pregnancy is a huge drain on iron stores and we know from worldwide data that 30% of young women are iron deficient.
Dr Sue Pavord
Oxford University Hospitals
With all the knowledge we have, it is unforgivable for a woman to enter into labour with iron deficiency anemia.
Professor Beverley Hunt, OBE
Kings College London

These aren’t just medical professionals, they’re advocates, many of them parents themselves, who refuse to accept that maternal mortality remains a crisis in 2025.

9 Days, 9 Life-Saving Topics, 70 Million Lives Reached

Our campaign tackles the maternal health challenges that affect women globally, with each day focusing on a critical aspect of blood health during pregnancy:

Day 1: "If Only I'd Known..."
Real patient stories paired with expert insights on how women can advocate for themselves and ask the right questions.
Day 2: "Your Baby's Silent SOS"
Understanding how maternal iron directly impacts fetal brain development and what this means for your child's future.
Day 3: "Iron 101: What They Forgot to Tell You"
Practical tips that make iron supplements actually work – from timing to absorption techniques every woman should know.
Day 4: "One Drop. Two Lives. Everything at Stake."
Why simple blood tests can predict and prevent pregnancy complications, and exactly what to ask for at every appointment.
Day 5: "If I Don't Ask, Who Will?"
Helping women to become active partners in their healthcare, with specific questions that get doctors' attention.
Day 6: "Delivery Day: Plan More, BLEED Less"
How proper preparation and modern medical technology can prevent the bleeding complications that claim so many lives.
Day 7: "She Was Fine. Until She Wasn't."
Emergency physicians share the warning signs and interventions that could stop routine births from becoming tragedies.
Day 8: "Is it Depression? Or Is it Anemia?"
Addressing the critical gap where iron deficiency masquerades as postpartum depression, leaving new mothers suffering needlessly.
Day 9: Global Live Expert Panel
All our healthcare professionals come together for a live discussion, answering questions from women around the world.

Each day will feature authentic voices – healthcare professionals sharing both their clinical expertise and personal insights, while patients tell their stories and advocates explain why these issues matter so urgently.

Why This Matters Now More Than Ever

Maternal mortality shouldn’t be rising in 2025, yet in many regions, it is. While we have the medical knowledge and technology to prevent most pregnancy-related deaths, there’s still a critical information gap because women aren’t getting the knowledge they need to advocate for themselves, recognize warning signs, or make informed decisions about their care.
A maternal death should be a never event
Sarah Walbolt, BSN
Founder, Let's Talk Patient Blood Management

The campaign bridges that gap by taking the knowledge that exists in medical journals, specialist conferences, and expert consultations, and making it accessible to every woman who needs it.

How You Can Be Part of This Life-Saving Campaign

Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok using #MomsBloodHealthMyFuture

Visit our campaign page for the full rundown

Mark your calendar for September 9th at 4pm (BST) for our global livestream

Every share, comment, and conversation extends our reach to women who need this information, and you could be the person who ensures a mother never has to say “if only I’d known.”

Healthcare professionals, advocacy organizations, and companies committed to maternal health are welcome to be part of the conversation.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

A Future Where No Mother Dies from Preventable Causes

Imagine a world where every pregnant woman knows her iron levels, while women understand the warning signs of complications, and feel empowered to advocate for their health. Picture healthcare providers who are equipped with the knowledge and tools to prevent crises before they happen. Consider a reality where no family loses a mother to complications that could have been prevented with better awareness and preparation.

That’s the future we’re working toward which is why we’re dedicating nine days to changing the conversation around maternal blood health. That’s why healthcare professionals from around the world are volunteering their time and expertise to reach women they may never meet but whose lives they could save.

September 1st.

The change starts now. Don’t miss it.

Partners Who Care

CSL Vifor is a global partner of choice for innovative therapies in iron deficiency and nephrology. We specialise in global partnering, in-licensing and commercialising products with the aim to help patients around the world lead better, healthier lives.

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for decisions about your pregnancy and health.