Uncle Maddio's Pizza Family Team Fundraiser

Why I Walk Wednesday: Arlo & Shay

When two moms were placed on bedrest at Novant Health Prince William Medical Center, they had no idea what bonding and friendship would form because of their situations. Deena was diagnosed with Placenta Previa, a condition where the placenta lies low in the uterus and covers the cervix causing heavy bleeding. She was placed on hospital bedrest for five weeks. The staff promised her "This will be over before you know it." They were right!

Arlo was born via an emergency cesarean section at 32 weeks. He spent 35 days in the NICU. Through all the alarms and feeding tubes he never gave up. From his little NICU bed, Arlo was alert and curious about the world outside. He was always looking beyond the door to his future. Today, he’s a thriving one-year-old. His amazing smile lights up the room.

Audrey’s three weeks on hospital bedrest was due to a rupture in her amniotic sac. It was anything but “Rest” as staff came in around the clock to monitor her and the baby. The staff at PW Novant was incredible and made big sis (age 1) feel like a rockstar when she visited her mommy each day. Shay was born via an emergency c-section at 30 weeks (3 months sooner than big sister, Reese). She was unable to breathe on her own for several weeks. Shay spent 43 days in the NICU slowly gaining weight and growing strong. Now, this one-year-old is meeting and exceeding her milestones. Shay will continue to have issues with breathing as her lungs were not fully developed at birth, but with her fighting spirit, she will continue to thrive.

Deena and Audrey constantly checked on one another's infant while they were in the NICU and continue to message one another daily. They can't imagine this past year without the support from each other. Their bond is incredible. They rode the NICU roller coaster together and that is a ride many people cannot understand.

While Arlo and Shay were in the NICU during March for Babies last year, both families are looking forward to walking with their miracle babies this year. 

Neither Deena or Audrey imagined this experience would happen to them. That's why they encourage you to participate in March for Babies – to help the March of Dimes fight prematurity so more babies can get the strongest start possible.

www.marchforbabies.org/avbaldwin --Shay

www.marchforbabies.org/team/TeamArlo  --Arlo 

Why I Walk Wednesday: Kami

When she was 30 weeks pregnant, Shauna went into premature labor and was put on strict bedrest. Five days later, she gave birth to Kamryn via emergency C-section. Born 10 weeks early, "Kami" was soon diagnosed with periventricular leukomalacia, which is a brain injury found in infants -- particularly in premature babies. 

After being in the NICU at UMMC (almost two hours from their home) for the longest two months ever, Kami was able to come home. 

Kami had her first seizure when she was nine-months-old. She was diagnosed with epilepsy. A short time later, she was further diagnosed with spastic quad cerebral palsy, cortical visual impairment, torticollis and asthma. Kami is now four-years-old and has a contagious smile. She is full of life and teaches everyone what life is really all about!

Kami and her family are this year's March for Babies Ambassadors for Suburban Maryland. You can meet Team Grimes at the Southern Maryland March for Babies at Regency Furniture Stadium, which is the home of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs baseball team. They invite everyone to join March for Babies so that moms can have healthy, full-term pregnancies. Register for a walk near you at marchforbabies.org. A few of them are at baseball parks!