The March of Dimes
It’s April, so that means it’s time to talk about another great organization that I’m so proud to support, The March of Dimes. My family has been participating in the March for Babies Fundraising Walk for the past four years.
The first year we just participated as a family of three because the twins were just coming out of their first winter of isolation. I was still too afraid to expose them to so many people, even though we were out of flu/RSV season. I knew a little about the March of Dimes, and their mission to help preemies. I also knew that many of my TTTS parent friends walked in their own March for Babies in their respective states and did a lot to raise money for the organization. That’s why we decided to walk that first year.
“On our way to March for Babies!”
When we got there, I was just so inspired. There were so many family teams, each with their own t-shirt and name symbolizing who they were walking for. There were such amazing stories of tiny survivors and also of warriors that lost their brave battle. You could see the support and love each team member had for one another, and for the March of Dimes. As soon as we got home, it became my mission to learn more about the March of Dimes, and how I could help them.
In my research, I found that it was the March of Dimes that was responsible for the research that lead to the Polio vaccine, as well as the development of Surfactant, which helps premature babies’ lungs develop. Both my twins received it in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU.) Everything I read about the March of Dimes, just inspired me more and more. From their “Prematurity Campaign,” to their “Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait,” everything resonated with me. Before having premature babies myself, I had no idea it was such a crisis. I also had no idea about the health implications from being born early. If I could help the March of Dimes work to prevent premature birth and educate people about it, I knew this was the cause for me.
Each year since our first walk, we have put together a Family Team, Bex’s Brave Brothers, and worked hard to raise money for the March of Dimes. This year we raised over $3000!!!
Now, each year around the same time, I have seen other disturbing “facts” come out about the March of Dimes, such as they only contribute a small amount per dollar donated. This is simply not true, and they are very transparent about where their donations go. In fact $.76 from every dollar donated goes to projects and research. Here’s a breakdown from their website:
One last great thing about the March of Dimes is that even though they are a National Organization, they have a Local presence in every state. While their programs and projects may differ by state, there is always some way for you to get involved in your local community.
Here in Wisconsin, they have a wonderful relationship with our major children’s hospital, and are working to establish relationships with other hospitals that have Neonatal Intensive Care Units. I hope to get more involved in that process since the boys were at a smaller hospital.
Even if you haven’t had a baby born premature or with any birth defects, I’m sure you’ll agree improving the health of all babies is important. To learn more about the March of Dimes, and how you can help, please visit HERE.
To make a donation on behalf of our team, Bex’s Brave Brothers, or to walk with us, please click HERE.
Will you March for Babies this year with us? Will you donate to help babies like my twins have a healthier start in life?
I am a mom to twins as well. Praise God TTTS is something we never faces, but goodness it was a fear while I was pregnant.
I love that you are involved with March of Dimes as a family. What a great example you’re leading!
Thank you so much! I’m so glad to hear your twins weren’t affected by TTTS!
What a noble effort and post! Love the family photos! March of Dimes helps in our area with infant toddler support for special needs families! Such a great organization!
Thank you! I’m glad to hear about the great things your local MOD does!
It’s amazing that you have such a great cause to help and that you were able to raise so much money for them. Actually, that is outstanding!
Thank you so much!
March of Dimes is truly a wonderful organization and I was so happy when I saw someone had given them some exposure. I will definitely Tweet this right now. They do so much good in so many communities. By writing this, I hope people will understand the importance in their organization. Great job! Off to Tweet 🙂
Thank you so much!
I learned quite a bit that I didn’t know about March of Dimes. Thanks for sharing your research.
Thank you! I’m glad I could share with you!
The March for Dimes is a great organization! I have a really good friend that delivered her daughter super early and is now a huge part of the local March of Dimes events & helps organize events!
Wonderful! It’s so good to hear of others that are involved!
I love the March of Dimes. As a former NICU nurse, they bring a huge amount of awareness of the societal issue of premature birth.
Awesome! So happy to hear that from your perspective.
Wow, what a great cause and how wonderful your were able to raise so much money! That is amazing! Love this!
Thank you so much!
i loved learning more about march of dimes- you do such a great job! ♥
Thank you so much!
Thank you for sharing this! Each year in HS the whole school banded together to raise money for March of Dimes – I believe they still do it 🙂
That is so awesome to hear!
Wow what a great thing to do! I learned a lot from your post. I will have to look for our local March of Dimes and get involved. Great post!
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Awesome! Thank you so much!
I think it’s wonderful that you and your family participate in such a worthy cause, Shann!
Thank you so much 🙂
It’s amazing what both march of dimes and you do to help these children! I try to make some donations for the holidays do this is definitely one I’ll look into this year.
Awesome! Thank you! And I’ll even send you a team t-shirt 🙂
I have never heard of March of dimes before! Glad i came through your post, very useful information. Such a wonderful way to support these children. Thanks for sharing!
Awesome! So glad to have helped.
Thanks for sharing. I was a premie.
Really?! That’s awesome! How early were you born?
Wow, what an incredible effort to boost the morale of the families who suffered and I loved the picture of Ben. He looks cute as ever. 🙂
What a great cause! And what handsome boys!!
March of Dimes is such a great cause — and your team did great with fundraising! I hope it is a wonderful event this year. – Trish
I absolutely love that you walk and raise awareness of such incredible causes, Shann. I imagine that being a part of this event and seeing how others have been moved to take action would be an amazing (and also difficult) experience and one that would make you want to fight harder. Congrats on raising so much!!!
Such a great cause! One of my friends son was an ambassador for march of dimes. It’s such a great organization!
March of dimes is a great! What a happy little guy you have!
That is so cool. Polio vaccine? Yup, they deserve as much money as they can get if they can help out so much. Love the Star wars shirt too.
I think it’s so wonderful that you do this. And I love that Star Wars shirt! 😉
How wonderful of your family to support this worthy cause. Your children will grow to be amazing adults with parents who model such compassion for others.
Such a great post! How awesome that you can march with the kiddos now for such a worthy cause!
Awesome and so important. Love seeing that you have your whole family involved. WHAT CUTIES!
This is so great! What a wonderful cause and a great reason to walk!
What a beautiful cause! I think it’s wonderful that you are such a passionate advocate for premies and parents with premies!
I’ve walked in March of Dimes walks before just to support babies who need the extra love, support, person to be fighting for them.
March of Dimes does so much good. It’s awesome that you do this to help other kids.
Wow, $3000! I haven’t marched, but I hope to one of these years!
I’m definitely bringing the hubby and munchkin around to March this year!