Wednesday, February 13, 2013

March for Babies


In 1938, communities came together to raise money to combat polio. More than 2 million dimes were sent to the White House and the foundation was referred to as the March of Dimes.

Now, 75 years later, polio has been eradicated in the United States and the March of Dimes is on a mission to help moms have healthy full-term pregnancies.

This year the March of Dimes is celebrating 75 years. It's incredible! Seventy-five years of fighting for answers and searching for solutions. And it's because of each one of you that the March of Dimes is able to continue to do what they do.

Not only is the March of Dimes celebrating 75 years, but our miracle will be celebrating her 5th birthday and it's our fifth year participating in the walks and helping to raise awareness about the March of Dimes. Needless to say, it's a big year. And we need YOU!

Ideas for donating:
-$5 to celebrate Morgan Kate's fifth birthday
-$5.75 -five for MK's birthday and 75 for the March of Dimes
-$7.50 to celebrate the 75 years for the March of Dimes
-$50 to signify ten dollars for each year of Morgan Kate's life or each year that we have participated in March for Babies
-$75 to celebrate 75 years

What is the March of Dimes? What do they do?
The March of Dimes (MOD) helps moms have full-term pregnancies and researches the problems that threaten the health of babies. The MOD is not just for premature babies. It's not just for full-term babies. It's not only for babies that have passed or babies that are still in the womb. It's for all babies. And all pregnant women. All moms. Every single one. In every single place.

The research conducted by the MOD is vital. Lifesaving. We would know, it helped save our daughter's life. Without their research there might not be artificial surfactant. And without artificial surfactant our baby girl may have never taken her first few breaths. The MOD educates, promotes, researches and raises money for healthy, full-term pregnancies. 

Contrary to what some might believe, the MOD didn't step in and magically wipe away our medical bills. They didn't give us money while we were in the hospital or once we got home. They didn't pay us to be an Ambassador family and they don't pay us to support them. We choose to be a part of this organization. We choose to support them and we choose to help raise money. We choose to do this because what they have done has helped save the life of our baby girl and many, many others. Like our precious new twins, Abigail and Addison.


When is the walk?
The Columbia walk is Saturday, April 27. 
The Orangeburg walk is Saturday, April 13.

How can I help?
Helping is easy! You can pray, you can walk, you can tell others about the March of Dimes, you can donate money or you can raise your own money. And if you are feeling especially froggy, you can do all of those!

How do I donate?
Donating is simple. You can click on the purple button located to the right. Once you click on that button you will be taken to a very secure page where you can donate using your debit card or credit card. If you aren't comfortable making donations online then you can send a check through the mail - just be sure to make it out to the March of Dimes.

How do I sign up to be a walker?
Click on the purple button in the right sidebar and follow the directions to "Walk".

I've never participated in a walk, what is it like?
This will be our fifth year participating in the walk. The walks usually begin at 8:30 or 9:00 am. The Gardens are the starting point for Orangeburg and the fairgrounds are the starting point for the Columbia walk. We all meet up around 8:30 or a little before. We all begin at the same starting point, but there are two different routes. One route is between two and three miles and the other is between four and five. We take our own water bottles, but along the way there are stations with fruit and water. There are people walking, people running, people sitting along side the road and others that aren't able to walk and they stay back at the starting point. There are lots and lots of people and it is such a rewarding and special day!

Different vendors provide lunch for registered walkers (pizza or hot dog, fruit and a drink) after the walk. Others bring their own lunches from home and eat picnic style. In the past directly before or after the walk people give speeches and awards are given for money raised.

Other Information:
For the past two years we have taken a tent, our Team Morgan Kate tent. We are planning to do that again this year. I am also working on a special design for this year's shirt. 

If you have other questions, comments or suggestions please leave them in the comment section. Thanks!




1 comment:

The Leviners said...

Thought about this earlier today and then I read this post! We should be able to attend the 27th!!!!