US Thalidomide Survivors

Most people believe no "thalidomide babies" were born in the U.S.
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How Many Thalidomide babies Were born in the US?

Every source from 1962 through 2019 has quoted an incorrect number of “thalidomide babies” born in the United States. FDA records investigated by journalist Jennifer Vanderbes suggest that dozens of babies were never identified or officially counted.

Book cover for WONDE DRUG: The Secret History of Thalidomide in America and its Hidden Victims, by Jennifer VanderbesThe official FDA count released in the 1960s was seventeen thalidomide babies born in the United States. Nine of them were born to mothers who took samples made by American drug companies. Eight other mothers said they obtained the drug in other countries.

We have reasons to believe there were many more. In 2023, Random House will release a new book, WONDER DRUG: THE SECRET HISTORY OF THALIDOMIDE IN AMERICA AND ITS HIDDEN VICTIMS, detailing the previously unreported suspicions raised by the original FDA investigation.

USTS launches campaign to find survivors

This week, US Thalidomide Survivors launches a nationwide Facebook campaign to try to locate — as many as possible — thalidomide survivors in our country!

The campaign consists of two posts, and asks “Do you believe you are a U.S. survivor of the drug thalidomide?” 

A few of approximately 75 Members we have located since 2016

Bonnie: born in Illinois in 1962

JoJo: born in New York in 1962

Jean: born in Ohio in 1962

Thalidomide Baby born in the U.S.

Gwen: born in Ohio in 1962

Thalidomide Baby born in the U.S.

Darren: born in Missouri in 1962

Thalidomide Baby born in the U.S.

Kim: born in Pennsylvania in 1959

Jan: born in Oklahoma in 1962

Tawana: born in North Carolina in 1963

Gianna: born on a US Military Base in 1962

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