LOS ANGELES, CA — Singer-songwriter Christina Perri joined Los Angeles County supervisors Tuesday to raise awareness of antiphospholipid syndrome, an autoimmune condition that can cause blood clots and increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and other pregnancy complications.
Perri, known for songs including "Jar of Hearts," "A Thousand Years" and "Human," testified before the Board of Supervisors Tuesday about her experience with APS. She was diagnosed with the condition after suffering a miscarriage and the stillbirth of her daughter Rosie in 2020.
"My baby girl Rosie's heart had stopped beating just weeks before my due date," Perri told the board. "I birthed her, I held her, I said goodbye. It was the absolute worst experience I could have ever imagined."
Perri said her obstetrician suggested she be tested for APS after her second loss.
"My moment of relief was overshadowed by my realization that this was preventable," Perri said. "If I had known I had APS, I would have taken blood thinner, and Rosie would be here."
The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Janice Hahn proclaiming Nov. 24, 2026, as APS Awareness Day in Los Angeles County. The date would have been Rosie's birthday.
The motion, co-authored by board Chair Hilda Solis, also directs the county departments of Public Health and Health Services to develop and distribute educational materials about APS, including information on testing, services and other resources.
"APS is treatable, but you have to know you have it," Hahn said. "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."
APS can be detected through a blood test and treated with blood thinners. According to the county, the condition accounts for 15% of recurrent pregnancy loss, but APS testing is not part of routine prenatal screening and often occurs only after multiple pregnancy losses.
"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," Solis said.
Perri urged officials and the medical community to focus on preventing other families from experiencing similar losses.
"Let's make a change so no one has to have my story again," Perri said. "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."
City News Service
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