Heather Irwin
Top Walker, Volunteer, Chapter Ambassador…
Salem
Heather Irwin supports March of Dimes because her son Jaxson was born at 25 weeks. He weighed only 455 grams and he was only 11.5 inches long. Heather deiced to walk in March for Babies while Jaxson was in the NICU.
“After learning a bit more about March of Dimes and what they do, it made me realize that without them, there would have been no hope for my son. Their research and development has been instrumental in his survival.”
This year will be her 5th year supporting March of Dimes. She has initiated the Family Teams Board for her area, helped re-route the walk last year, and she has gone to other fundraisers and events. Heather continues to raise money each year to help prevent prematurity and lower health risks involved. In 2009, her son was an Ambassador.
Heather has always felt a need and desire to do volunteer work and help her community. Before her son was born she didn’t have the passion or dedication to follow through with finding a way to give back. However, two months after his birth, she came across March of Dimes. After signing up for her first walk, Heather tried her hardest to raise money because the walk was being held on Jaxson’s due date. She did not want to see other people go through what she had to go through when her son was born. In just three short weeks Heather was able to raise almost $5000.
Heather realizes that without March of Dimes Jaxson may not be as healthy as he is today. The survival of her son pushes her each year to raise money and try to help in any way that she can. The development of surfactant has significantly helped Jaxson.
When asked what she was born to do, Heather said, “The one thing that really excites me is giving back and volunteering. So, if I was born to do one thing, it would be to help others.”
