March of Dimes

Many of my volunteer efforts focus on the March of Dimes. I was the keynote speaker for "Fund the Mission" at the annual Celebrity Chef Auction. I attend numerous March for Baby rallies and was the chairperson for a March for Babies walk team (appropriately names "Kansas Queens"). Most recently, on Monday the 28th of April, I spent the morning volunteering at the March of Dimes golf tournament in Wichita.  A chilly but sunny day for golfing!

My involvement with the March of Dimes stems from personal experience with prematurity. Kody, our 4 year old was born at 36 weeks, even after excellent prenatal care. He was not terribly preterm and seemingly healthy (6 lbs 5 oz., 9s on his Apgars) but at 45 minutes after his birth, he was taken to the NICU and placed on oxygen via a nasal cannula. An hour later, he was on a ventilator where he remained for 11 days. You can imagine the feelings of helplessness we experienced. Not being able to hold or nurse my baby...not being able to comfort him when he seemed anxious or in pain. We found out that he had pneumonia. He was given surfactant to help keep his lungs inflated. Little did I know at that point that March of Dimes' funding was the impetus for surfactant research. 

Kody is now a healthy, active 4 year old. Research funded by the March of Dimes helped to save our baby's life. Because of this, I continually give back to this organization through my time, effort, and energy.

From www.marchofdimes.com: 

"Today more than 1,400 babies in the US will be born prematurely. Many will be too small and sick to go home. Instead, they face weeks or even months in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). These babies face an increased risk of serious medical complications. . . Despite decades of research, scientists have not yet developed effective ways to help prevent premature delivery."