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Archive for the ‘March of Dimes’ Category

Tamara Miller: 75 Faces of March of Dimes

Posted in 75 Faces of March of Dimes, Facts and Figures, March for Babies, March of Dimes, Our Volunteers, tagged , on April 26, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

Tamara Miller

Tamara Miller
Board Member, Family Team Committee, Walk Chair and more
Medford

Tamara Miller started supporting March of Dimes after her daughter, MacKenzie, was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder, Short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (SCAD) deficiency, when she was nine months old. In laymen’s terms, it means that her body cannot process certain fats. It is a metabolic disorder under the family of Fatty Acid Oxidation Disorders (FAODs). At the time of her diagnosis, she was both physically and developmentally behind for her age group. Tamara contacted March of Dimes to see if they could help MacKenzie get the care she needed. Due to the direction of March of Dimes, MacKenzie received care through Respite Nurse, as well as an Early Intervention Specialist to assist in her development and growth. Now, MacKenzie is on par with her peers in her Kindergarten class. Tamara and her family know that MacKenzie’s good health is a direct result of the Early Intervention she received through the assistance and direction of March of Dimes.

Tamara supports March for Babies by walking with her family team. In 2008 and 2009 she was a Top Walker. In 2010 she walked in the Josephine County March for Babies for the first time. Tamara was then asked to serve on the Josephine County Board as a Family Team Committee Member for the 2011 walk. That year, Tamara and her family raised $20,000. By 2012, she became the Chairperson for the Josephine County March for Babies. 2013 marks her 6th year volunteering with March of Dimes. Tamara loves being involved and she appreciates having the ability to spread the word about March of Dimes’ mission.

Two of her three children were born early, so Tamara wants to ensure that all babies reach full-term, and that no mother has to know the fear of having a preemie. She is inspired by her daughter MacKenzie everyday. At nine months old, doctors told her to celebrate if she made it to her first birthday. Today, MacKenzie is five and a half. She is Tamara’s little miracle.

When asked what she was born to do, Tamara said, “I believe that everyone is meant to do something special…and I feel in my heart, that it is my job to educate people about the mission of March of Dimes. I know that the money I raise is helping families (like mine) get the education or medical care that they need for their baby. If I can educate one person about the importance of March of Dimes and help to prevent premature births in the process, then I know I’m doing good. I walk so that all babies can be born healthy and full-term.”

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Heather Irwin: 75 Faces of March of Dimes

Posted in 75 Faces of March of Dimes, Ambassador, March for Babies, March of Dimes, Our Volunteers, tagged , , , , on April 25, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

Heather Irwin

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.”

 

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Teri Wexted: 75 Faces of March of Dimes

Posted in 75 Faces of March of Dimes, Facts and Figures, March for Babies, March of Dimes, Our Volunteers, tagged , , on March 11, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

Teri leading the warm up before March for Babies

Teri leading the warm up before March for Babies

Teri Wexted
20-Year Volunteer
Portland 

Teri Wexted has supported March of Dimes for the past twenty years in both California and Oregon. March of Dimes has allowed her to help make a difference in the lives of babies and their families who need the support of the organization. 

March of Dimes is close to Teri’s heart because she was a preemie herself, and she lost a sister who was only alive for six hours due to complications. Teri believes that March of Dimes funded research is saving lives each and every day. Through her support she helps create awareness, provide hope, and raise the money needed to discover new ways to save more lives. 

Teri supports March of Dimes by leading the Warm-Up for March for Babies in downtown Portland. Each year she selects around six children from the audience to join her on stage for the exercises. Teri has even included a celebrity mascot to help motivate the morning crowd. 

Teri is inspired by her family, and the smiles on the faces of those that she has helped. She loves seeing the kids at March for Babies smile after she takes them up on stage during the morning warm-ups. 

When asked what she was born to do, Teri said, “I was born to make a difference, as we are ALL called to do, and therefore, I want to lead by example.”

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Meet our 2013 Official Ambassadors!

Posted in Ambassador, Facts and Figures, March of Dimes, Our Volunteers, prematurity, tagged , , , on March 6, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

2013 Ambassadors_4 photos

Kraig and Heidi Albright had twins. Twice. Both sets were born premature. Their first, Kenny and Katie, at 21 weeks, lived for just one hour. Their second set of twins, Kaden and Kory, were born at 25 weeks and spent 105 days in the NICU. 

James and Holly Hanset’s son, Holdyn, was born at 24 weeks gestation weighing just 1 pound, 8 ounces.  He went through 2 rounds of pneumonia, double laser eye surgery, PDA ligation, dual hernia surgery, grade 2 and grade 4 brain bleed and more during his 134 days in the NICU. 

Jorge and LaNae Rodas’ daughter, Carmendy, spent 14 weeks in the NICU after being born at 28 weeks gestation after LaNae had a complete placental abruption. She was just 2 pounds, 1 ounce. 

Scott and Amy Sandie also had two experiences with preterm birth. Liam and Elsa Sandie were born at 27 weeks gestation and their big sister, Mara, born two years earlier, was also premature. See a video about Liam and Elsa’s early birth here.  

You can learn more about our Official Ambassadors and their stories here.

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Motherhood and apple pie: join us at the State Capital tomorrow!

Posted in Birth Defects, Facts and Figures, March of Dimes, tagged , , on March 4, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

apple-pie

Greater Oregon March of Dimes will serve apple pie at the State Capitol in celebration of our national organization’s 75th anniversary; as well as to urge legislators to support SB 172.

We’d love to see you there! Please join us.

Oregon State Capitol Galleria in Salem
Tuesday, March 5
10:00 am – noon

SB 172 would ensure that all newborns in Oregon are screened for critical congenital heart disease before they are discharged from the hospital.  An estimated 400 babies in Oregon are born with congenital heart defects. Twenty-five percent of these babies will have critical congenital heart disease (CCHD),meaning they require intervention within hours, days or the first three months after birth.  Screening for CCHD is done by checking the amount of oxygen in the babies blood using a pulse oximeter.  It is a non-invasive test, it is low cost and it is effective in detecting most of the conditions that make up CCHD.

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Ask your Senator to support SB 172 on Tuesday

Posted in Baby Talk, Birth Defects, Facts and Figures, March of Dimes, tagged , , , , , on February 21, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

Daddy's Hands-Artistic

The Oregon Senate will vote Tuesday on SB 172, which requires newborns be screened for critical congenital heart disease through the use of pulse oximetry.

An estimated 300 – 350 babies are born in Oregon each year with a congenital heart disease. Of these, roughly 80 are critical, meaning that the heart defect causes severe, life-threatening symptoms and requires intervention (e.g., medical treatment or surgery) within the first few hours, days, or months of life.

You can help!  Contact your Senator and ask him or her to support SB 172 with their vote Tuesday.

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High heels, high hopes and a My Party Bus

Posted in Facts and Figures, March for Babies, March of Dimes, March of Dimes Event, Our Partners, Our Volunteers, tagged , , , , , on February 21, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

High Heels for High Hopes models on My Party Bus

High Heels for High Hopes models on My Party Bus

March for Babies is America’s oldest walking event, but when it comes time to get moving, some women would rather wear stilettos than walking shoes.

Fourteen business women from Springfield will do their walking for babies in Oregon’s first High Heels for High Hopes event, a fashion show benefiting March of Dimes on February 27th. The women will walk the cat walk wearing one of three themed looks: “a night out on the town,”  “just want to have fun,” or “dress for success.” 

Each model has a goal of raising at least $2,000 to help babies be born healthy.

To raise some money before the big event, some of the models took the My Party Bus to attend a Eugene Women Business Leaders networking event, then went to The Bridge, followed by Hop Valley. They collected over $1,000 in cash donations and were the talk of Eugene Springfield.

So far the ladies have raised over $12,500 and have just one week to reach their goal before the event. Donations can be made on the models’ behalf to March of Dimes here: http://bit.ly/WTXjfr.  Auction items will also be at the event, each relative to one of the model’s three looks. 

High Heels for High Hopes is Wednesday, February 27th at the Kendall Toyota Showroom (373 Goodpasture Island Rd in Eugene).  Beverages and appetizers will be served starting at 6:00 pm prior to the runway show beginning at 7:00 pm. General admission tickets (just 20 left!) can be purchased for this event through Aimee Corey at March of Dimes; VIP tickets sold out the first week of sales.  

Funds raised by this event will benefit the Lane County March for Babies, which helps support prenatal wellness programs, research grants, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) family support programs and advocacy efforts for stronger, healthier babies. 

For information about ticket sales or how to donate, contact Aimee Corey at acorey@marchofdimes.com or (541) 225-5023.

 

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Support newborn heart screenings on Thursday

Posted in Birth Defects, Facts and Figures, March of Dimes, tagged , , , on February 12, 2013 | 1 Comment »

Newborn Screenig via Pulse Oximetry

Newborn Screenig via Pulse Oximetry

We’re ending Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week with a hearing in the Senate for a bill to add screening for critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) to the panel for all Oregon babies.

March of Dimes and the American Heart Association, along with affected families, are advocating for Senate bill 172  (also bill HB 2693) to add screening for CCHD to the newborn screening panel via pulse oximetry.

An estimated 300 – 350 babies are born in Oregon each year with a congenital heart disease. Of these, roughly 80 are critical, meaning that the heart defect causes severe, life-threatening symptoms and requires intervention (e.g., medical treatment or surgery) within the first few hours, days, or months of life.

You can help! 

  • Join us at the hearing on Valentine’s Day, February 14th, at 3:00 pm at the State Capitol Building in Hearing Room A where the Senate Healthcare and Human Services Committee is meeting.
  • If you can’t make it on Thursday, you can email your support of SB 172 to Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson at sen.monnesanderson@state.or.us

To learn more, call our Director of Programs and Public Affairs, Joanne Rogovoy, at 971-270-2885 or email her at jrogovoy@marchofdimes.com.

 

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Laura Collette: 75 Faces of March of Dimes

Posted in 75 Faces of March of Dimes, March for Babies, March of Dimes, Our Volunteers, tagged , , on February 8, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

Laura Collette

Laura Collette
25-year March for Babies Volunteer
Longview, WA

Laura first walked for March of Dimes in 1974. For almost 25 years Laura and her friends and family have coordinated their local March for Babies event each year. She supports March of Dimes because she wants to better the lives of our innocent children. Laura wants to help March of Dimes prevent the current and future challenges that affect so many families. Through her support, Laura feels good about doing good while she makes a positive difference. 

Although Laura has not needed the support of March of Dimes, she knows those who have. She works with individuals who have developmental disabilities, and is familiar with the challenges they face daily. Laura wants to help children grow up without so many obstacles. 

When asked what she was born to, Laura said, “I haven’t really figured that one out yet, but I’m trying to help make a positive difference for my family and community.  And set an example for my family and friends by volunteering, helping those less fortunate. Being happy!”

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Today begins Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week!

Posted in Birth Defects, Facts and Figures, March of Dimes, Our Partners, Our Volunteers, tagged , , , , , , , on February 7, 2013 | 1 Comment »

heart stethoscope-web

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a problem with the heart’s structure and/or function which is present at birth.

February 7-14 is Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week, and we’re doing something about it.

March of Dimes and the American Heart Association, along with affected families, are advocating for a bill (HB 2693) to add screening for critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) to the newborn screening panel via pulse oximetry. CCHD means that the heart defect causes severe, life-threatening symptoms and requires intervention (e.g., medical treatment or surgery) within the first few hours, days, or months of life.

Some hospitals in Oregon are already screening for this, but some aren’t.  We think it shouldn’t matter what zip code you’re born in, every baby deserves a healthy heart.

You can come to the public informational hearing this Friday, February 8th, from 1:00 to 2:30 pm at the State Capitol Building where the House Healthcare Committee is meeting.

There will also be a hearing in the Senate on Valentine’s Day.

To learn more or see if you can help, call our Director of Programs and Public Affairs, Joanne Rogovoy, at 971-270-2885 or email her at jrogovoy@marchofdimes.com.

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