Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it so difficult to find a specialist to treat vascular anomalies?
Vascular anomalies are rare disorders. As a consequence of this, most physicians will only see one or two in a lifetime. It is therefore important to go to a center where these vascular anomalies are seen frequently.
What is the average cost of treatment?
On average, it will cost between $10,000 to $50,000 for a procedure. This amount may vary depending on the severity and the length of hospital stay. Frequently, a child will require more than one procedure.
Why do so many families need financial assistance?
There are very few centers that have extensive experience in the treatment of vascular anomalies. It is therefore often necessary for a child to travel out-of-network for treatment. More and more insurance companies will not allow this. Depending on the type of insurance the family holds, it is often very difficult to gain out-of-network approval. Insurance companies can be difficult to deal with in this process.
Where do patients supported by Waner Kids get treatment?
All patients receive treatment at the Vascular Birthmark Institute in New York (VBINY). Dr. Milton Waner is the President & Chairman of Waner Kids and also serves as the Director of VBINY.
What is a vascular anomaly?
A vascular anomaly is a tumor made up of blood vessels. There are different types of vessels and these will determine the type of anomaly.
How serious is a vascular anomaly?
A vascular anomaly can be extremely serious, and even life threatening.
Who is affected by vascular anomalies?
Vascular anomalies can affect all children despite race or gender and there is no known hereditary correlation between the anomaly and the parents.
How many children are affected by a vascular anomaly?
The most common anomaly is an hemangioma affecting about 1 in 10 children. Port Wine Stains affect about 1 in 1,000 children and although there are no known statistics for arteriovenous malformations, lymphatic malformations and venous malformations we believe the incidence is about 1 in 50,000.
When do they appear?
Vascular anomalies are all present at or soon after birth.
Explore additional resources about vascular anomalies and other conditions diagnosed and treated by Waner Foundation.
Vascular Birthmark Institute
The Vascular Birthmark Institute of New York was founded by Dr. Milton Waner and Dr. Alejandro Berenstein. They provide diagnosis and treatment for children and adults with Vascular Malformations. All Waner Kids treatments happen at VBI, please check VBI's site for more information on Vascular Malformations.
