March of Dimes: a fighting chance for every baby

Saturday we were honored to walk with this amazing organization to raise awareness and support for babies born prematurely.

if you’ve been around for any length of time you know that this cause is so near and dear to our heart with little ladies who were born at just 31 weeks + 3 days.

our two tiny miracles have taught me more about life than I thought was possible from such little beings.  I tried to put into words the lessons they taught me that you might have read in ‘A Letter to My Preemies‘ a couple of months ago.

some facts about prematurity:

premature birth is the #1 killer of babies

about 38,000 babies are born too soon each year

15 million babies are born prematurely each year around the world

1 million of those babies will die

the average medical cost for a healthy baby is $4,389. for a premature baby, this cost jumps to %54,194.

our sweet gals were born too soon due to a condition called vasa previa .  with diagnosis we had almost a 95% chance of survival but unfortunately for too many families, this condition goes undetected and has almost a 95% mortality rate  when undiagnosed.

March of Dimes helps to raise awareness and supports researched aimed at conditions like vasa previa (considered an umbilical cord abnormality) so we gladly marched with friends and family, alongside many other families fighting that same fight.

we received so much support from family and friends for this great cause and it was amazing to see such a great turnout at this event.

if you were able to donate your time, finances, or prayers, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

if you are have been blessed to see such a tiny miracle unfold before your eyes, know we stand together.

here are some my favorite quotes people have sent along my way over times:

“keep calm and suck, swallow, breath”

“God made me so you can see small things are strong too”

“fact: haivng a NICU preemie doesn’t just end at discharge”

“whoever said, ‘don’t cry over spilled milk’ clearly never pumped for their baby(s) in NICU and accidentally dropped it”

“to behold the thoroughly breathtaking strength of a baby born too soon, who goes up against life itself with every breath is truly one of the most miraculous things i hope you never have to see.”

“science only goes so far, and then there’s God”

“I feared because it was too early. I cried because it was too soon. yet I underestimated the strength in one as small as you.”

“preemie strong.”

and my most favorite:

“I am a parent of a preemie (or sick baby).  everything is different after you experience the NICU. it changes you forever. watching your child fight for survival gives you a new appreciation for life and the value of it. your own child is your hero. you never forget the sights and sounds. it all becomes a part of you.”

I always love to hear from preemie parents and would love to connect! Please feel free to comment below… there is so much strenght in numbers and meeting those who have been there!

xoxo,

Lindsey