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You are here: Home / Blog / Why We Walk

Why We Walk

April 19, 2016 By Shann 46 Comments

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.

why we walk for the MOD

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.

walk for charity

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.

walk

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.

walk for mod
Big C after heart surgery
walk for babies health
The first time I was able to hold Little P

 

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.

walk together
Our March for Babies Teams from 2014 and 2015

How you can help

walk to 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!

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Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: 25 weekers, charitable organization, charity, identical twins, local walk, march of dimes, micro preemie, NICU, preemie, premature birth, siugr, TTTS, walk

Comments

  1. Emily Kib says

    April 19, 2016 at 8:42 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Shann Eva says

      April 25, 2016 at 12:58 pm

      Thank you so much Emily!

      Reply
  2. Kelsie Kleinmeyer says

    April 19, 2016 at 10:51 am

    Oh wow! That would be sooooo hard! Thanks for sharing your story. I can totally see why you walk. Awesome!

    Reply
    • Shann Eva says

      April 25, 2016 at 12:57 pm

      Thank you Kelsie!

      Reply
  3. Scarlett Ballantyne says

    April 19, 2016 at 12:38 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Shann Eva says

      April 25, 2016 at 12:57 pm

      Thank you Scarlett!

      Reply
  4. Charlotte says

    April 19, 2016 at 2:14 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Shann Eva says

      April 25, 2016 at 12:57 pm

      Thank you so much Charlotte 🙂

      Reply
  5. Kimberly Cox says

    April 19, 2016 at 2:24 pm

    Such an inspirational story. Your little guys are fighters for sure. Thanks so much for sharing <3

    Reply
    • Shann Eva says

      April 25, 2016 at 12:57 pm

      Thank you Kimberly!

      Reply
  6. Dana Gore says

    April 19, 2016 at 2:25 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Shann Eva says

      April 25, 2016 at 12:57 pm

      Thank you Dana!

      Reply
  7. Rachel says

    April 19, 2016 at 3:33 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Shann Eva says

      April 25, 2016 at 12:56 pm

      Thank you so much Rachel.

      Reply
  8. Emmymom says

    April 19, 2016 at 3:57 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Shann Eva says

      April 25, 2016 at 12:56 pm

      It really is. I’m glad your little guy is doing OK too 🙂

      Reply
  9. Rachel @ STCL says

    April 19, 2016 at 5:04 pm

    Such an inspiring story! Glad your kids are doing well – they’re fighters for sure!

    Reply
    • Shann Eva says

      April 25, 2016 at 12:56 pm

      Thank you Rachel!

      Reply
  10. Cindy @HometownQueenBee says

    April 19, 2016 at 5:08 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Shann Eva says

      April 25, 2016 at 12:56 pm

      Thank you so much Cindy!

      Reply
  11. Becky @Disney in your Day says

    April 19, 2016 at 6:54 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Shann Eva says

      April 25, 2016 at 12:55 pm

      Your helping in the auction was amazing! I’m so thankful for your help!

      Reply
  12. CourtneyLynne Storms says

    April 19, 2016 at 7:59 pm

    These little ones are all so inspirational!!! Awesome to see you truly passionate about helping 🙂

    Reply
    • Shann Eva says

      April 25, 2016 at 12:55 pm

      Thank you CourtneyLynne!

      Reply
  13. Cynthia @craftoflaughter says

    April 19, 2016 at 8:01 pm

    So proud of all the effort you and your family put into this cause! You guys rock

    Reply
    • Shann Eva says

      April 25, 2016 at 12:55 pm

      Thank you Cynthia!

      Reply
  14. Christine Cox says

    April 19, 2016 at 8:28 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Shann Eva says

      April 25, 2016 at 12:55 pm

      Thank you, Christine. That is awesome about your Father-in-law, and about you getting involved too. I love it!

      Reply
  15. Debbie says

    April 19, 2016 at 9:41 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Shann Eva says

      April 25, 2016 at 12:54 pm

      Thank you for reading, Debbie.

      Reply
  16. Natasha says

    April 20, 2016 at 7:25 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Shann Eva says

      April 20, 2016 at 8:07 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  17. sheismelrose says

    April 20, 2016 at 1:45 pm

    I was born a premature myself yet I believe your story amazing thanks for fighting. http://sheismelrose.net/

    Reply
    • Shann Eva says

      April 20, 2016 at 8:06 pm

      How early were you born?

      Reply
  18. Kusum @sveetesKapes says

    April 20, 2016 at 3:25 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Shann Eva says

      April 20, 2016 at 8:06 pm

      Thank you so much Kusum!

      Reply
  19. Irina Vakulchik says

    April 20, 2016 at 3:47 pm

    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. 🙂

    Reply
    • Shann Eva says

      April 20, 2016 at 8:06 pm

      Thank you so much Irina.

      Reply
  20. Jennifer Corter says

    April 21, 2016 at 9:08 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Shann Eva says

      April 25, 2016 at 12:54 pm

      I appreciate it so much, Jennifer.

      Reply
  21. Laura says

    April 21, 2016 at 11:35 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Shann Eva says

      April 25, 2016 at 12:53 pm

      Thank you Laura 🙂

      Reply
  22. Ana Ojha says

    April 21, 2016 at 3:20 pm

    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! 🙂

    Reply
    • Shann Eva says

      April 25, 2016 at 12:53 pm

      Thank you so much Ana!

      Reply
  23. Jorden Trochelman says

    March 8, 2017 at 8:27 am

    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!!

    Reply
    • Shann Eva says

      March 9, 2017 at 2:20 pm

      Thanks Uncle Jorden! Love you too!

      Reply

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Meet Shann

Shann Hi! I'm a mom, writer, and dancer. I love sharing my parenting experiences, my healthy living tips, my money saving ideas, and our travel plans. My passion to help other women inspired this blog. I hope you'll stay a while and come back often.

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