For six years, The Iris Fund has supported the research conducted at Columbia’s Preterm Birth Prevention Center. The Center was created to improve perinatal outcomes by providing individualized, evidence-based care to patients at risk for preterm birth and promoting cutting-edge, multidisciplinary research. We also support the Myers’ Soft Tissue Lab, part of the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering at Columbia University. Engineering has been critical to scientific breakthroughs in modern medicine, and this lab studies the material behavior of biological soft tissues with a specific focus on the female reproductive system. The Iris Fund has now expanded their support to and partnership with Mount Sinai Hospital and Dr. Helen Feltovich in New York, the University of Hawaii , and the University of Wisconsin—connecting the research between major institutions.

After the passage of CT HB 5103, we worked with partners to ensure this stillbirth tax credit was implemented for the benefit of families. We met with the CT Department of Health and the CT Hospital Association, liaised with funeral directors, the department of revenue services and tax professionals, and ensured hospital staff were aware and online and printed materials were updated with information about the tax credit. Because we know that Legislation + Implementation = Real Change. We continue to advocate for federal legislation by partnering with Senators Blumenthal and Gillibrand on a federal Stillbirth Tax Credit Bill and supporting The Shine for Autumn Act which aims to improve data collection, educational resources, and increase investments in placental pathology.

Since our founding, we have expanded our community to more than 2,000 engaged supporters across 35 states and eight counties. We’ve also raised over $800,000 to support the critical work of understanding and preventing pre-term birth.

This hard work is made possible through the support of so many people across the globe and the partnership of some of the best organizations out there, including March of Dimes, Hope After Loss (CT based), Natalie Foundation, The Tiny Miracles Foundation (CT based), Every Mother Counts, and Saul’s Light.