The Tara Hansen Foundation
THF in the News
US Most Dangerous Country In Developed World To Give Birth
Kristen Dahlgren July 2018
At the time this segment aired, the United States ranked 47th in the world when it came to maternal mortality. That number means this country is the most dangerous place in the developed world to give birth.
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In 2011, Tara Hansen, a healthy and active 29 year old from New Jersey gave birth to her first child. 6 days later, she would pass away from an infection becoming one of nearly 800 women to die in the United States that year.
Kristen Dahlgren of NBC News has more on the harrowing statistics facing new mothers today.
For Serena Williams, Childbirth Was a Harrowing Ordeal...
Maya Salam January 2018
Not even the tennis dynamo Serena Williams is immune from the complications and challenges new mothers face during and after childbirth.
In a Vogue cover story published online on Wednesday, Ms. Williams, who holds 23 Grand Slam titles — some call her a superhero, others a queen — shared her agonizing postnatal experience, including an episode in which hospital employees did not act on her concern that she was experiencing a pulmonary embolism, a sudden blockage of an artery in the lung by a blood clot. She is prone to such clots, a condition that nearly killed her in 2011.
Foundation Remembers Tara Hansen with First Donation
Alli Mechanic September 2012
A year after its creation, a local foundation is giving back to the community and honoring the memory of a local teacher by donating its first check to the West Freehold School.
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Following the tragic death of Tara Hansen, a special education teacher at the West Freehold School, her husband Ryan Hansen, created The Tara Hansen Foundation. The foundation's goals are to honor Tara's memory, continue to give back to the community, and create awareness about maternal mortality – the cause of Tara’s death. The Tara Hansen Foundation officially launched in May 2011.
Maternal Healthcare is Foundation's Focus
Clare Marie Celano October 2012
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Husband of late teacher is working with medical school to educate professionals
Ryan Hansen is working diligently to try to help prevent another child from losing his or her mother just as his son, Brandon Ryan, did 18 months ago.

Hansen, of Freehold Township, lost his wife, Tara, 29, to complications of childbirth on March 31, 2011, six days after she gave birth to Brandon. Tara was a respected special education teacher at the West Freehold School, Freehold Township, for nearly 6 years.
Spotlight New Jersey, New Channel 12
Rick Holmes October 2012
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The Tara Hansen Foundation was featured on News Channel 12's Spotlight New Jersey, on Friday, October 12. Spotlight New Jersey features real New Jerseyans of all ages doing work in their respective communities. The piece was done live with the founder of The Tara Hansen Foundation, Ryan Hansen, and anchor Rick Holmes. ​
Remembering Tara​ - Octoberfest: An Event to Prevent
Every Mother Counts Staff October 2012
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When Ryan and Tara Hansen went home from the hospital with their brand new baby boy in March of 2011, they never imagined she’d only have six days to live as a new mother. Tara died six days after delivering her son from complications related to childbirth, leaving Ryan a single father. Tara was 29, a special education teacher and a first-time mother and when she died, she left Ryan with a legacy and a mission to make her life and early death matter.
THF Donates $10,000 For Maternal Health Conference
Alli Mechanic February 20, 2013

The Tara Hansen Foundation donated $10,000 to the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School to host an inter-professional continuing education conference on maternal health.

A local foundation has donated $10,000 in memory of the late Tara Hansen. In May 2011, Ryan Hansen created The Tara Hansen Foundation to remember his wife's passion of education and giving back to the community. Through the organization, Hansen has been able to donate thousands of dollars in the honor of Tara and has created awareness about maternal mortality - the cause of Tara's death.
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Tara's Gift: Tragedy creates movement to prevent maternal mortality
Susan Bloom June 25, 2013
Entering 2011, 29-year-old Tara Hansen had so much to look forward to: a fulfilling career as a special-education teacher at West Freehold School, her marriage to fellow Freehold resident and high school sweetheart Ryan Hansen, the recent purchase of their first home in Ocean Township, and the impending birth of their first child.
Young Mother's Death Inspires Family to Improve Maternal Health Care
Lisa Intrabartola October 31, 2013
The delivery of Tara Hansen's first son, Brandon Ryan, was expected to be textbook.
After all, she was a healthy, 29-year-old who didn't suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure or any other condition commonly associated with postpartum complications.
Death of Freehold Mother Inspires Rutgers Conference
Kelly Heyboer November 8, 2013
When Tara Hansen said she wasn't feeling well, no one was very alarmed.
After all, the Freehold teacher had just given birth to her first baby, Brandon Ryan. She was a healthy 29-year-old who had a complication-free pregnancy and was recovering from a textbook delivery.
Top 5 Social Media Angels of 2013
Angela Smith December 26, 2013
Throughout the past year, I have been lucky enough to cover some pretty outstanding organizations that use social media to better the world. I’ve covered all sorts of causes – from education and healthcare to websites that promote random acts of kindness. As many media companies do, I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorites. Here are the organizations that I think deserve an extra halo:
Why Are American Women Dying in Childbirth?
Joy Victory Cosmopolitan January 2016
I'm 40 weeks pregnant and nearly 24 hours into labor, and there is vomit everywhere. Stomach acid and red Powerade splatter across the kitchen floor, up the walls and the refrigerator, leaving tiny bloodlike rivulets.
"...And Ryan Hansen lost his wife, Tara. A 29-year-old special education teacher in New Jersey, Tara died from an infection six days after delivering their son. Like many, Hansen says he wasn't aware of the maternal health-care crisis until it hit too close to home. '"Tara and I were so prepared for the baby's birth, his well-being and health. We weren't prepared for what happened to Tara.'"