Morgan Kate

March of Dimes Q and A

In just a few weeks, 75 days to be exact,  we will be walking for the March of Dimes and for babies just like Morgan Kate. And my sweet "nieces", Abigail and Addison. I have tried my best to think of possible questions you might have and provide answers to them. If you have other questions please leave them in the comment section of this post and I will try my best to answer them.

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 Orangeburg walk is April 14 and the Columbia walk is April 28. We are still deciding if we will do both or just one. We are leaning toward doing just the Columbia walk.

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?

Technically, you don't have to. You can just show up or let me know that you will be there. If you want to be "official" meaning that you become a March of Dimes registered walker then 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 fourth 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. In past years Morgan Kate has gone along with us and we pushed her in the stroller. 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'm also tossing around the idea of t-shirts again. 


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