About

Families for HoPE serves the families of infants and children receiving a diagnosis of Holoprosencephaly (HPE), the most common brain malformation in a developing fetus. HPE occurs between days 17-21 of fetal development, and typically ends in early miscarriage. Current studies indicate that only 3% of all fetuses diagnosed with HPE survive to delivery and a vast majority of these infants do not survive past six months of life, so the medical community offers very little hope when delivering this diagnosis to parents.

Many families who receive a diagnosis of HPE for their child prepare for imminent death. But if their child survives and needs specialized medical care, it can be a challenge of a different sort. The children who beat the odds need all the help they can get in order to survive and thrive. It has been shown that these children can learn, they can improve, and they can bring much joy to those who are privileged to know and love them.

A diagnosis of HPE is heartbreaking and the statistics on HPE are devastating; however, the courage and determination of infants and children with HPE and their families are truly inspiring.