Today is the ninth day of my mission to spread kindness and help others. In case you don’t know what I’m talking about, please read: Join My Give Back Mission to Spread Kindness and Say Thank You.
Yesterday, I highlighted an organization local to Washington, DC that works to support families impacted by premature births. Today, I would like to continue to raise awareness for this issue by highlighting the March of Dimes, which is a global organization that has been supporting families for 75 years.
The March of Dimes helps moms have full-term pregnancies and is researching the problems that threaten the health of babies. This organization is trying to save the lives of our babies by helping mothers in local communities throughout the United States take charge of their health. Globally, the March of Dimes is sharing best practices in perinatal health and helping improve birth outcomes. In the United States, 1 in 9 babies are born prematurely. Worldwide, 15 million babies are born too soon each year.
I decided to highlight the March of Dimes at the request of two of my readers, who have been personally impacted by the loss of children born prematurely. Both of these families are leading separate teams in the March For Babies, which is a fundraiser that takes place in communities throughout the country. The money raised from these walks support research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives. The money also will be used to bring comfort and information to families with a baby in newborn intensive care.
I was honored that these families reached out to me to share their stories of loss. I hope you will take the time to read about both these families and consider supporting both of these teams.
The first team, Team Itty Bitty Angels is walking in the March for Babies on April 28, 2013 in Prince William County, Va. Kay and George Beale reached out to me to share their story. In 2008, they lost their son Jayden at 17-weeks. It is still a painful loss for them. So, Kay and her team are walking to raise money and awareness for the March of Dimes, which is helping other mothers avoid the pain of losing a baby born too soon. So far, they have raised $145, but have a team goal of $300. They are looking for monetary donations or donations to the Silent Auction they plan on holding to raise money for their team. Please contact Kay at kaybeale@yahoo.com if you can donate a gift card, gift basket, or services for their silent auction. All proceeds from the auction will go straight to their team and the March of Dimes. If you can donate even $5, please click here.
The second team, Team Bischoff is walking for the third time in the March for Babies on May 5, 2013 at the Reston Town Center in Fairfax County, Va. Danielle Bischoff became involved with the March of Dimes after her second pregnancy. Danielle delivered twins at 25 weeks in October 2010 and lost her daughter. Her son had a very rough beginning that resulted in a stage 4 brain bleed, seizures, two brain surgeries and eye surgery. He has hydrocephalus and pretty significant vision issues but is doing very well. The March of Dimes was instrumental in providing the research necessary for the surfactant treatments for their son’s lungs to prevent them from collapsing. The organization also provided scrapbooks with pictures from many of his first holidays – all which were spent in the hospital (97 days). They also gave the family a memory box for their daughter who died. Danielle’s oldest daughter was born full term in 2009 and started having seizures at 6 weeks old and was up to 60 seizures/day before having brain surgery at two months old. Their daughter now has cerebral palsy with left-sided hemiplagia (partial paralysis). March of Dimes has been instrumental in doing research for cerebral palsy. Team Bischoff has a team goal of $4,000 and so far has raised $1,000.
The team has several fundraisers planned. The first one is a 31 Gifts and Silpada Jewelry party. You can order from 31 Gifts (email lbloves31@gmail.com with your order) and from Silpada anytime between March 22 and March 31. The second event planned is a Fundraising Dinner at Lucia’s Italian Restaurant in Potomac Falls on April 4. Dine-in, carry out or call for delivery and mention March of Dimes and a portion of the proceeds all day will be donated to Team Bischoff and the March of Dimes. Please visit the Bischoff Adventures blog to read about more ways you can help this team. To donate directly to the team click here.
I hope you will consider helping and spreading the word about these two teams and the March of Dimes.
Good Deed Idea of the Day
If you live in an area with snow, or are getting your first snow storm in March like we are in Washington DC, then consider helping out your neighbors with some shoveling. This is especially helpful to your elderly neighbors who really shouldn’t be shoveling anyway. Don’t forget to take your baked goods from yesterday’s idea over as well!
