September 15, 2026

L to R: Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, Christina Perri, Supervisor Janice Hahn, Supervisor Kathryn Barger. Supervisor Hahn is holding Perri’s children’s book, “A Thousand Years.”

Los Angeles, CA– Today, singer-songwriter Christina Perri presented at the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors meeting, partnering with Supervisor Janice Hahn to raise awareness of Antiphospholipid Syndrome or APS.  

APS is an autoimmune condition that causes blood clots and, during pregnancy, raises the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and other complications. APS is detectable with a simple blood test and treatable with blood thinners. However, even though the condition accounts for 15% of recurrent pregnancy loss, APS testing is not part of routine prenatal screening and is often only tested for after multiple pregnancy losses.

Christina Perri, who is known for hit songs “Jar of Hearts,” “A Thousand Years,” and “Human,” was diagnosed with APS after suffering a miscarriage and the tragic stillbirth of her daughter in 2020. Now, she is working to raise awareness of the syndrome and encourage the medical community to test for APS early in pregnancies so that it can be treated.  

“My baby girl Rosie’s heart had stopped beating just weeks before my due date,” Christina Perri testified to the Board of Supervisors. “I birthed her, I held her, I said goodbye. It was the absolute worst experience I could have ever imagined. Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually —I was broken. It was only after that second loss that my OBGYN suggested I test for APS, and she was right. Antiphospholipid Syndrome was the reason behind both of my miscarriages. My moment of relief was overshadowed by my realization that this was preventable. If I had known I had APS, I would have taken blood thinner, and Rosie would be here.” 

After learning about Perri’s story, Hahn put forward a motion to proclaim November 24, 2026 as APS Awareness Day in Los Angeles County, the date which would have been Christina Perri’s daughter Rosie’s birthday.  The motion, which was co-authored by Chair Hilda L. Solis, also directed the Departments of Public Health and Health Services to create and disseminate informational and educational materials about APS as well as how to access services, resources, and testing. The Supervisors voted unanimously today to approve the motion. 

“APS is treatable, but you have to know you have it,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “I want to raise awareness of this condition, especially among pregnant women, so that more people can get the testing they need and avoid the heartbreak Christina and so many families have already suffered.”  

In Congress, a bipartisan house resolution, H. Res. 6851, was introduced by Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL) and co-led by Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) to raise awareness of APS.  The resolution supports adding APS testing to routine prenatal screenings and calls on medical associations and guideline-setting bodies to update recommendations to include testing for APS as a standard in prenatal screenings. 

“Today, the County is taking an important step to raise awareness about this autoimmune disease, expand access to testing and treatment, and help Angelenos avoid preventable and tragic adverse pregnancy outcomes,” said Los Angeles County Board Chair and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. “Our communities deserve clear, culturally and linguistically appropriate information about APS, including how to recognize its symptoms and get tested, to help ensure that all pregnant people in Los Angeles County can deliver a healthy baby.” 

“Let’s make a change so no one has to have my story again,” continued Perri. “Let’s not get angry, let’s get inspired. This is not about the past. This is about giving purpose to my little Rosie’s life.”

Visuals available for download:
Footage of board meeting
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