Rozell-Shannon was chosen as one of the five finalists from thousands of entrants. She will appear on MONTEL on February 22, 2008, where Charming Shoppes CEO Dorrit Bern will present each finalist with a $20,000 charitable grant for their organization. Each finalist will also receive a trip for two to New York City to appear on MONTEL, and a four day "Dream Come True" vacation to Walt Disney WorldŽ Resort.

The VBF was founded by Rozell-Shannon in September of 1994, after her new-born daughter, Christine Mary Shannon, was diagnosed with a hemangioma. At that time, there was no website, no comprehensive foundation, and no book for parents on this subject. Since then, she has become known as the world's leading lay expert in the field of such vascular birthmarks as hemangiomas, port wine stains; and venous, lymphatic and arterio-venous malformations. VBF is currently the leading not for profit in the world for children and adults with vascular birthmarks, receiving over one million hits on their website each month (www.birthmark.org).

Over the past 14 years, Rozell-Shannon has worked with the foundation to network over 25,000 patients into medical treatment and has co-authored the first book written for parents on the subject of hemangiomas and vascular malformations. She has also written a chapter in a medical textbook on this subject, and has co-authored numerous medical journals. Furthermore, she has helped to establish VBF worldwide chapters and multi-disciplinary treatment centers. She was honored in 2005 with the Regional Jefferson Award, presented by Senator Hillary Clinton. This year, Rozell-Shannon will complete her Ph.D. in Education from Walden University, focusing her dissertation study on vascular birthmarks.