Family Team News

Register for March for Babies at marchforbabies.org

Friday, April 22, 2011

Meet Paul Daniel



My pregnancy with Paul seemed like a normal pregnancy. We were very happy when we found out we were expecting; everything was going so well, although I did tend to worry a lot. I was a preemie (32 weeks), so I always worried about something happening. I had an occasional problem here and there, but it wasn’t a big deal. A red flag for me was not gaining weight. I lost a total of 13lbs while I was pregnant. My "problems" were always brushed off as me being a worried first time mom.

May 10th started off as every other day. I got up and went to work as a federal officer at NASA. Throughout the day I had cramps that kept getting worse and worse. I kept brushing them off, but one of my fellow officers encouraged me to call my OB, so I did. He said it was ok. I got off of work and went home to lay down hoping the pain would stop. It didn't. I woke up, and the pain was worse-cramps about 2-4 minutes apart-and I had these weird urge to "push". My husband and I rushed to Holy Cross Hospital where we arrived after 30 minutes in rush hour traffic. I was taken to triage; I was so confused and scared. The hooked me up to monitors, but the monitors picked up no contractions at all. I will never forget the look on the doctor’s and the words that came out of his mouth "Get her to L&D stat, she is fully dilated and I see the baby’s head". At this point we were in complete shock. All I could think was “why me, why us?” But they kept reassuring me; everyone was trying to stay strong for me.

As they were prepping me for delivery they lost his heart beat. They found it again by time we got to the OR; he was in distress and they had to perform an emergency cesarean.

I remember waking up in recovery with my OB standing over me. The first thing I said was “Is my baby ok, is he alive?” I was so relieved when he said; “Yes he is in the NICU and stable.” Paul Daniel was born May 10, 2007 at 10:06 PM - 14 weeks early. He was 1lb 13.9oz and 12 3/4 inches long. The first time I met my son was 3 days later, Mother’s day. The next 80 days were a blur, some I wish not to remember. Paul did well, at 12 hours old he was extubated and did well for about a week, then he went in to full respiratory failure. They told us he was not going to make it through the weekend; words we never wanted to hear. We were so scared, depressed, hurting. We just wanted to help our baby, we would have done anything and everything we could to keep him with us. We had him baptized. For about two weeks he went back and forth, up and down, good days, bad days. Eventually he made a complete turn around and was extubated for good. From there it was mostly up hill. Finally after those 80- days he came home. He came with oxygen and an apnea monitor, but it was the best day of our lives; we were so relieved. The happiness was short lived when Paul quit breathing and turned blue. He had to be rushed to Children’s Hospital by ambulance where he stayed for 8 days. After that hospital stay it was all up hill improving more and more every day.

Paul is now a healthy, happy almost 4 year old. He does suffer from chronic lung disease, asthma, reflux and obstructive sleep apnea. He also has ear tubes from chronic ear infections. He is caught up developmentally.

To this day we still do not know why he was born early, but since then we have had another child who is now 14 months old. I found out with my second child that I have incompetent cervix. I was able to carry him to 37 weeks with the help of a cerclage, 20 weeks of strict bed rest and the 17P shot.

Paul has exceeded so many people’s expectations. We are so blessed to have him with us here today.




Heather Kane hkane@marchofdimes.com

Monday, April 18, 2011

Prince George’s County March for Babies



The rain didn't dampen the spirits of participants in the 2011 Prince George's County March for Babies on April 16. Making its first appearance at this walk: The Mama & Baby Bus, which will begin service in Prince George's County in August 2011. Read more about the bus at Click Here

Thanks to all the Family Teams that came out and enjoyed a walk in the rain!!


Friday, April 15, 2011

What to Expect on March for Babies Day

March for Babies Day is a fun-filled, family-oriented event. This is a day of celebration of all babies: those born healthy, those struggling to thrive and those who didn't go home. Below are a few frequently asked questions. Your team captain will receive a special e-mail from the March of Dimes with site-specific information.

1. What should walkers wear?
Please wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes (in layers to accommodate temperature changes), cotton or wool socks, and walking or tennis shoes.

2. What happens if it rains?
Toss an umbrella in the trunk of your car. March for Babies takes place rain or shine. If it rains and it would be dangerous to walk, the route will be shortened.

3. What time do I need to arrive?
Check-in and registration begins one hour before the walk. But if you've already turned in your money on Bank Day or did all of your fundraising online, come at least 30 minutes early to enjoy the stage program. Walk start times vary by site.

4. What do I do with my cash and check donations?
If you're walking with a team, ask your team captain about turning in cash and checks before walk day. If you're an individual walker, bring the monies with you to the walk or contact your local office for a special mailing address.

5. Can I bring my children in strollers?
The March of Babies wouldn't be a celebration without children and strollers. All of the routes are on stroller-friendly paths.

6. Are there checkpoints or snacks along the route?
There are checkpoints along the route that will provide rest, refreshments and information. Most will have water and some even have a snack.

7. Can I bring my dog?
March for Babies events are held at a variety of sites, including public parks and private property. If you are considering bringing man's best friend, please contact your local office for possible restrictions. Please consider the breed of your pet and that babies and small children will be at March for Babies.

8. Will there be children's activities at my walk site?
We encourage all walkers to bring their children to March for Babies. Children's activities, which vary by site, include face painting, games, bounce houses and the Fun Bus.

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact your local March of Dimes office.

Do you want to learn how to fundraise online through e-mail and Facebook or how to get your team re-registered for 2011?

Join one of the free conference call web meetings to learn more!
Each call will include: How to sign back up / Engage fellow team members / Fundraise online / Using Facebook and widgets
• Tuesday, April 19 call will start at 8:15pm*
o Call in 800-411-7650 then enter code 90360#
o Click Here to launch web meeting program at 8pm or after


• Wednesday, April 20 call will start at 8:15pm*
o Call in 800-411-7650 then enter code 90659#
o Click Here to launch web meeting program at 8pm or after

* We recommend logging in to the web meeting system between 8 and 8:15pm to ensure a connection.

* All times listed are eastern daylight savings time
Thanks again for all you do!

Heather Kane

March for Babies Bank Days

Bank Day is a great opportunity for you to turn in your team’s money and to pick up your team member’s T-Shirts. Coming to Bank Day allows you to enjoy March for Babies without handling money or standing in line for registration.
Look below for a bank location and time that works for you.
Thank you for your support!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Harford County

Allegany County

Wicomico County

Thursday, April 14, 2011
Prince George’s County

Tuesday, April 26, 2011
St. Mary’s County

Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Washington County
Caroline County

Thursday, April 28, 2011
Montgomery County
Charles County
Frederick County
Prince William County

Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Worcester County

Thursday, May 5, 2011
Loudoun County
Washington, D.C.

Thursday, May 12, 2011
Fairfax County

Team Captains will receive detailed information from their staff liaison, however if you have specific questions, please contact your staff liaison or Heather Kane at hkane@marchofdimes.com.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Brayden Hurley Hatchett



September 29, 2008 – October 21, 2008
2 Pounds 9 Ounces
15 Inches Long

On April 24, 2008 we were elated when we found out we were expecting our first child due December 22, 2008. Things were going well until our 20 week sonogram at which time they noticed that my cervix was funneling. I was put on strict bed rest at home.

The next weeks we faced day-by-day just hoping for one more week to pass. Nine weeks later on a Friday my water broke. After rushing home from work my husband picked me up and we headed straight to St. Joseph’s Hospital. Immediately I was given the first round of corticosteroid shot and was lucky enough to receive the second shot 24 hours later to help develop our son’s lungs.

On Monday, September 29, 2008 at 9:08p.m. our son was delivered via emergency c-section. He was perfect. All 10 fingers and toes, lots of dark hair and such a perfect smile. He was everything we had prayed and hoped for our son.

On Brayden’s 18th day of life I found blood in his stole when changing his diaper. After showing the NICU nurse they ordered a set of chest xrays. The results showed that Brayden had an infection and inflammation that causes destruction of the bowel. This disease is none as Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) and affects only 1 in every 2,000 – 4,000 births.

The next three days were a blur during which time Brayden was emergency evacuated to John Hopkins Hospital where we had planned for him to undergo surgery to prevent the intestine from perforation. Taking a turn for the worst, Brayden was not strong enough for surgery. His body was so weak and his chest so extended.

As we sat by his bedside discussing what his quality of life would be if he were to recover from this disease and ultimately trying to make the hardest decision of our life to remove our son from life support. He used all his might to open his little eyes one last time, squeezed his father’s finger and joined the other Angel Babies in heaven.

We felt the most painful emotions anyone can experience but at the same time had a sigh of relief that Brayden made his own choose to meet God. Now 2 ½ years later we are ready to explore options on how we can grow our family and provide Brayden with a brother or sister.

Brayden will always hold a special place in our hearts and will be a big brother to a little sister or brother one day.



Brayden Hurley Hatchett


hkane@marchofdimes.com

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

April is Fundraising Month for March of Dimes at Cornerstone Antiques in Timonium

April is Fundraising Month for March of Dimes Help March of Dimes earn up to $1,000 from Cornerstone Antiques, Consignments and New Home Furnishings HERE’S HOW IT WORKS: SHOP AT CORNERSTONE ANYTIME DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL SIMPLY TELL THE CASHIER THAT YOU ARE SHOPPING FOR THE MARCH OF DIMES AND WE WILL EARN 10% OF THE TOTAL SALES UP TO $1,000! YOU CAN ALSO HELP US EARN $5.00 PER PERSON TOWARDS OUR $1,000 GOAL BY SIMPLY VISITING CORNERSTONE AND LEAVING YOUR NAME AS A SUPPORTER OF THE MARCH OF DIMES (SO BRING A FRIEND!) – NO PURCHASES NECESSARY! Cornerstone Antiques, Consignments & New Home Furnishings 2175 Greenspring Drive, Timonium, MD 21093 410.561.3767 Baltimore’s favorite place to shop for fine estate furniture by quality makers such as Potthast, Henkel Harris, Biggs, Baker and others new furniture by Bradington Young, Craftmaster and more home furnishings including silver, china, lamps, rugs, mirrors, collectibles and artwork For directions, store hours, and to see pictures of their inventory visit their website: http://www.onlycornerstone.com/ Courtney Thompson Courtney.thompson@gmail.com Team: Faith, Hope & GRACE

Monday, April 4, 2011

Honor or memorialize your children in our Family Team scrapbooks

Scrapbook Pages
Would you like your family team to be represented in the scrapbooks that are displayed at March for Babies? These scrapbooks have been a huge success and we would like to continue to add more family’s stories. We are inviting all of our Family Teams to create a page to add to our book, or update an existing page. These scrapbooks show all of our walkers who they are walking for, which are families like yours!

Send your completed 12” x 12” page to
Heather Kane at March of Dimes
2700 S. Quincy St., Suite 220
Arlington, VA 22206.

Or bring to the Family Teams/Mission Tent at the March for Babies..
For more information, contact Heather Kane at hkane@marchofdimes.com