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Denton County proclaims March 27 as Amniotic Fluid Embolism Awareness Day; survivor urges blood donations
Summary
The Denton County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing March 27, 2026, as Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AF) Awareness Day. An AF survivor described a near-fatal 2022 episode that required 31 units of blood and urged residents to donate at a March 27 blood drive at Medical City Lewisville.
The Denton County Commissioners Court on March 10 unanimously adopted a proclamation recognizing March 27, 2026, as Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AF) Awareness Day in Denton County. The proclamation cited national and state maternal mortality data and called for increased awareness, data collection and blood donations.
An AF survivor who the court invited forward, identified by first name as Nikki, told commissioners she experienced an AF during the birth of her daughter in 2022 and “required 31 units of blood products.” She described AF as "unpreventable and unpredictable" and said awareness and data collection are essential to improving outcomes. “When I had one, I didn't know what it was,” she said, adding that raising awareness could one day lead to prevention and improved treatment.
The proclamation text referenced Centers for Disease Control and Prevention findings and a 2024 joint report by the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee and the Texas Department of State Health Services noting the state’s maternal mortality rate (as read into the record). The court read statistics included in the proclamation that AF occurs "two to eight per 100,000 deliveries" and that the U.S. has a comparatively high maternal mortality rate among wealthy nations, language drawn from the cited reports.
Court members moved and seconded the measure (motion by Commissioner Williams; second by Commissioner Edmonson) and carried it by voice vote. Commissioners and attendees applauded the survivor and encouraged county residents to support related blood drives.
Nikki and family promoted a March 27 blood drive at Medical City Lewisville from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; the meeting record shows donors at that event will receive a complimentary jar of the family’s hot sauce. The survivor said collecting blood and samples for registries and biorepositories could improve understanding of AF.
The proclamation does not create a legal requirement but formally recognizes the awareness day, encourages donation and supports outreach and education efforts. The court adjourned that portion of the agenda after the vote and returned to routine business.
