The Walk
The walk is coming up in less than 2 weeks. Unless you’re super new around this blog, you know that the walk is the March for Babies, a fundraiser benefiting the March of Dimes. You also probably know the main reasons why we participate in this walk every year. However, I think it’s an important reminder, not only for you, but also for myself, why we work so hard raising money each year.
The Reasons
People support different charities and organizations for different reasons. Most have a personal connection with either the cause or the organization. We have both with the March of Dimes.
If there’s not a cause or organization that you can relate to, talk to your friends and family. Chances are, there is something someone feels passionate about. Supporting a friend or family member can be just as rewarding. Not only is your money/time/support going to an important cause, but you are standing with someone you love, and helping them with something they truly believe in.
Our Reasons
After going through a traumatic pregnancy, delivery, and hospital stay, I found myself feeling unbelievably grateful to everyone that had helped us make it through. It was one of the hardest parts of my life, and I wasn’t even the one struggling to survive.
The strength of my twins still amazes me to this day. Born at just 25 weeks, 5 days, they missed out on an entire trimester in my belly. They had to learn to survive in an incubator, with machines, doctors, and nurses doing everything they could to help them.
The lights and sounds were too much stimulation for a baby that’s supposed to be protected in the womb for another 15 weeks. Their new substitute wombs kept them warm, kept out the sounds, and had to be covered to keep out the light. Their eyes were still fused together, and their skin translucent. Little P weighed just a little over a pound, and Big C a little over 2 lbs. They could not protect themselves, and I could no longer protect them. We needed help.
They had to learn to breathe, regulate their temperatures, fight off infections, and eventually, eat and grow. They each endured countless blood draws, blood transfusions, and were kept alive with tub and wires everywhere.
While it broke my heart to see them like that, I knew it had to be done. I could only touch my babies with one finger for the first week, and it had to be gentle pressure, not a soft stroke. That was even too much for them to handle. I couldn’t hold my babies until they were over 2 weeks old.
But, we are the lucky ones. Both of my babies survived, and are doing wonderful now.
Without the medical advancements made in premature birth, we might not be so lucky. The March of Dimes is responsible for many of those medical advancements. They are also responsible for creating awareness about our smallest, sickest babies.
Even with all of these medical advancements, it’s not enough. Not every baby survives. Many babies have a much rougher journey through prematurity, if they do make it. It is the mission of the March of Dimes to give every baby a healthier start in life, to do research on what causes prematurity, and find ways to prevent it, along with many birth defects.
So, because of my two amazing survivors, I will fight alongside the March of Dimes until we can save all of the smallest, most helpless of us.
How you can help
Obviously, money is one way everyone can help. Money funds research, which helps advance medicine. Those advancements are still very needed in the field of premature birth, and in many other areas as well.
If you don’t have extra money, you can still help.
- Volunteer – Time is a great way to help an organization. Mail flyers, make phone calls, and help out at local events. Call your local chapter of the organization to find out how.
- Spread Awareness – Follow the organization on Social Media, share their posts, retweet their messages.
- Ask Friends and Family to help – Whether it’s for a cause you believe in, or if you’re helping a friend, ask others for support, share their posts and events, and even offer to help organize an event
- Go to local events – Walk in local charity walks, and go to events benefiting the charity.
- Make purchases that benefit the Organization – Amazon Smile offers a percentage back to the charity of your choice when you make purchases, and there are other websites that do the same.
If you would like to help our team and the March of Dimes, you can visit https://www.marchforbabies.org/shanneva. You can also find a local walk, your local chapter of the March of Dimes, and start helping today.
You can share this post, talk to your friends and family about premature birth, and make a difference in the health of all babies. Thank you!
I love this Shann! I’m so glad that your twins are healthy and that you compassionately help with the March of Dimes! And I love how you promote giving back on your blog, that’s so important and so encouraging!
Thank you so much Emily!
Oh wow! That would be sooooo hard! Thanks for sharing your story. I can totally see why you walk. Awesome!
Thank you Kelsie!
It is awesome that you are so passionate about giving back. I know from many friends that having preemies is a trying time….glad you made it through!
Thank you Scarlett!
It’s so incredible to see how strong and healthy your babies are now… but my goodness… It breaks my heart to see them attached to all those tubes and wiring so I can’t even imagine what you must have been going through during those early months.
What an incredible cause to be a part of.. and thank you for sharing this. XOXO
Thank you so much Charlotte 🙂
Such an inspirational story. Your little guys are fighters for sure. Thanks so much for sharing <3
Thank you Kimberly!
Hi Shann,
Very inspiring message and story.
It’s awesome to see what started out as a form of adversity transform into something so powerful.
I admire your dedication.
Thank you Dana!
Hey Shann,
This post made me feel sad and happy at the same time. Thinking about what you had to go through, your two little miracles having to be cared for with you only being able to touch them with one finger and no stroking. Of course you will walk and be forever grateful.
A team of doctors and nurses must have been reassuring at the time when your babies were born. I could not even imagine how hard that period immediately after birth must have been for you and your hubby. Your two fighters hanging in there. I will certainly spread the word when a discussion comes up.
Rachel.
Thank you so much Rachel.
My little guy was born 8 weeks early but weighed a big 4 lbs 9 oz- so I can’t even imagine babies as small as yours. It truly is amazing all that can be done now.
It really is. I’m glad your little guy is doing OK too 🙂
Such an inspiring story! Glad your kids are doing well – they’re fighters for sure!
Thank you Rachel!
Great cause! I always try to donate when I see fund raisers and stuff for them. <3 I'm glad your twins are doing so well! You inspire so many through your blog and special events such as this one.
Thank you so much Cindy!
You are so inspiring, and it’s amazing how hard you work for charity! I wish I could do more, but I will definitely share your info on my facebook. Good luck!
Your helping in the auction was amazing! I’m so thankful for your help!
These little ones are all so inspirational!!! Awesome to see you truly passionate about helping 🙂
Thank you CourtneyLynne!
So proud of all the effort you and your family put into this cause! You guys rock
Thank you Cynthia!
You know I am with you on this one! I have been meaning to look up my local chapter of this so thank you for the reminder. My father-in-law actually just got involved in the organization as the local hospital’s medical president so now I can help with events too!! I am super excited. And PS – I just love the big binky pics!! <3
Thank you, Christine. That is awesome about your Father-in-law, and about you getting involved too. I love it!
Your story is absolutely amazing and your babies are inspiring. I love that you participate in this walk- it is so important!!! Your photos prove that miracles happen, too. So wonderful. Thanks for sharing something so personal.
Thank you for reading, Debbie.
This is a great cause and thanks for sharing your story. Your little ones sure went through a lot when they were so little. The photos were touching. God bless.
Thank you!
I was born a premature myself yet I believe your story amazing thanks for fighting. http://sheismelrose.net/
How early were you born?
Oh my gosh, I had no idea that you and the kiddos had to go through so much around their birth and after. Your kids and you are fighters for sure! It is so great to see that you are doing so much to spread awareness and walking for a cause!
xx, Kusum | http://www.sveeteskapes.com
Thank you so much Kusum!
I love this so much girlie. I never read your story and I have to say it is a very powerful one. I never went through what you went through but I can imagine and that is enough to get me to help. I love that you reach out to others who go through what you have been through. It is so powerful. We should never have to do life alone. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Thank you so much Irina.
I just donated, I wished it could have been more. But your story is inspiring, and your boys are so handsome. I love their names, by the way! I just saw them on the MoD page. Unique and awesome!
I appreciate it so much, Jennifer.
This is a wonderful post. There is so much on this topic that I have learned from following your blog. Good luck on the walk! Way to go!
Thank you Laura 🙂
Hi Shann,
Thanks for sharing your inspirational story and your passion to support and create awareness about Pre-mature babies through your blog. Its a great effort to support the families who have been or going through this circumstances in their life. I am so happy that twins are doing perfect and driving you crazy! 🙂
Thank you so much Ana!
An amazing journey my little nephews have had…I remember how scary and emotional that time was. Very thankful for the outcome and think it is great you are supporting such a wonderful cause on a daily basis. Love you guys!!
Thanks Uncle Jorden! Love you too!