Healthy Babies Are Worth The Wait

Back in August of 2011 we rallied together 17 Oregon hospitals to put a hard stop on elective, non-medically necessary inductions and c-sections before 39 weeks. Every birthing hospital in the Portland metro area came onboard, a joint effort so unusual it garnered national (and international) press. Then we issued a challenge to bring every birthing hospital in the state together with the same policy.

Did you know FDR was:

• the first president to speak on television
• the first president to have a presidential aircraft.
• in office longer than any other president
• the first president whose mother was allowed to vote for him
• the only president to be elected for four terms

You can learn more here.

Happy Birthday, Franklin Delano Roosevelt!

From HealthCanal:

Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have discovered that a molecule critical to the development and plasticity of nerve cells – brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) – is severely lacking in brainstem neurons in mutations leading to Rett syndrome, a neurological developmental disorder. The finding has implications for the treatment of neurological disorders, including Rett syndrome that affects one in 10,000 baby girls.

The new discovery is published online in Neuroscience and is expected in the print issue of Neuroscience in March.

OHSU and March of Dimes: working together for stronger, healthier babies.

We are pleased as punch to be one of the 7 non-profits chosen to partner with First Independent Bank for their Ready2Give program.  What does this mean? For a limited time you can double your giving power. Now through February 29th, every dollar you donate to March of Dimes Greater Oregon Chapter through our Causes page will be matched by First Independent, up to $1500.

Help us take advantage of this generous matching grant by making a contribution today. Thanks to First Independent, your contribution dollars go even farther towards supporting healthy babies.

To make a qualifying donation, please log on to firstindy.com and follow the Ready2Give links to our Facebook Causes page. Or, access our Causes page directly from Facebook. We only receive the matching grant if you make your donation through our Facebook Causes page.

With this matching grant and generous donations from you, our supporter, March of Dimes will continue to thrive and be a driving force for stronger, healthier babies in our community.

Tim Campbell, Lane County Signature Chefs 2011 Chair

We can all look forward to healthier babies, thanks to Tim Campbell.

Tim chaired the 2011 Lane County Signature Chefs Auction and did a bang-up job of it! Under his leadership, the event jumped in revenue from $25,000 in 2010 to over $55,000 in 2011! And he doubled the attendance.  All in the name of babies. You see, Tim has a passion for the mission of March of Dimes; both of his children were born premature. 

Money raised at Signature Chefs goes to support research, education and advocacy to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

We thank you, Tim.  So do the babies.

Dr. Robertson was the 2011 Chair for our inaugural Oregon Nurse of the Year awards.  And much to our delight, he’s coming back as 2012 Oregon Nurse of the Year Chair!

Closing in on 30 years of honoring women of achievement, we are proud to have recognized 198 women who have made a significant impact on their communities. WOW! 

And now we’re accepting nominations for the 30th Annual White Rose Award—A Salute to Women of Achievement. 

White Rose honorees are selected on the basis of volunteerism, professional excellence and contributions to the community as a whole. Honorees must live or work in Oregon.  

Learn more about the event, save your seat or download a nomination packet from our website here.

Nominations are due by January 27, 2012; so don’t dilly-dally.

Seared Tenderloin Of Beef from Chef Mark Henry

It was another fabulous Signature Chefs event this year in Portland! We raised even more than last year, with over 320 people in attendance the delicious event brought in $115,207 to help babies get a healthy start in life. 

Our evening’s “winners” will enjoy a trip to New York, a cocktail party for 30 of their closest friends at Mothers Bistro and Bar, a private golf tournament for 20 at the Reserve Vineyards and golf club, a two night Stay at the Allison Inn, a tantalizing Thai Fusion dinner cooked in their kitchen by Chef Kenny Morgan from Sysco Portland and a five course chefs dinner paired with wine for six people by Chef Alex Parsons of El Gaucho! 

A huge thank you to our chefs: Aaron Bedard of The Stephanie Inn, Matt Christianson of Urban Farmer at The Nines, Mark Henry of Marriott Portland Downtown Waterfront, Marissa Burback of Porto Terra Tuscan Grill & Bar, John Newman of Newmans at 988, Lisa Schroeder of Mother’s Bistro, and Kenny Morgan of Sysco Portland!  

Plus a shoot out to Columbia Distributing  for their generous donation of wine,  Craig Walker for emceeing, the Rhythm Dogs for their great music, and Katie Mandzij for bringing the mission of March of Dimes home. 

Want to see the photos? We put them on our Facebook page.  THANK YOU Tara Thackeray of One Love Photography for capturing the evening!

Please mark your calendar for the 2012 event on October 9^th and contact Denise Townsend (971.270.2890)  to be first on the list!

Rosemary Elyse

We’d like to send out a big CONGRATULATIONS to Courtney and Matthew on the birth of their beautiful baby girl: Rosemary Elyse.  Rosemary was born on December 1st at 5:27 am weighing 7lb 3oz. Mom and baby are doing wonderfully.

It’s December 1st, which means 2 things:

1. Christmas is, essentially, tomorrow. And
2. There are a LOT of runny noses out there.

Here’s  a list from the Omamas that’s got you covered on both counts. In Amy Wang’s compilation of great ways to handle your gift buying for young ones while supporting local folks, I found a fabulous new (to me) product–Boogie Wipes.  These soft wipes with saline solution help break up all that icky mucus running out of our kids’ noses right about now. I might even try them on my nose (shh, don’t tell anyone!).

There are other really cool products made locally on this list, as well as children’s books by local authors, entertainment and shops.  Thanks, Amy!