Did Somebody Say Yogurt?

This Saturday (5/4), Menchie's Frozen Yogurt in Rockville, MD is donating a portion of their sales to the March of Dimes. Just present the flyer below at checkout either by smartphone or a hard copy and enjoy your treat while helping babies. Why not splurge -- after all you walked a few miles at March for Babies!

You’re invited to attend the March of Dimes March for Babies Kickoff Celebration on Thursday, February 23rd at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Join 2012 Washington, D.C. Chair Brian Carlton, Regional Managing Partner of Dixon Hughes Goodman; Fairfax County Chair Jeff Kovach, Managing Director of Beacon Capital Partners; Jeff Johnson of Booz Allen Hamilton; St. Mary’s County Chair Jo Ann Gelrud and Charles County Chair Craig Renner of The St. Charles Companies at the Kickoff Celebration.

The Kickoff Celebration is an opportunity to learn more about the March of Dimes signature fundraising event, March for Babies. We hope that you can attend to meet other team captains, hear motivating stories and learn more about the mission of the March of Dimes and our impact in the community.

When: Thursday, February 23nd
Time: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Please RSVP no later than Monday, February 13th to Nicole Johnson at 571-257-2314 or njohnson@marchofdimes.com

Jersey Mike’s Fundraiser – November 13th through November 19th

To celebrate Prematurity Awareness Month, Jersey Mike’s is donating 15% of their proceeds (with the flyer linked below) to March of Dimes. Enjoy lunch or dinner at any of 7 locations and support March of Dimes all week long!

Participating Locations:

In Maryland: Frederick, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Hagerstown, and Laurel

In Virginia: Leesburg and Sterling

Nancy Wiley – nwiley@marchofdimes.com

Southern Maryland Ambassador Sought for the March of Dimes

The search is on! The March of Dimes of Southern Maryland is beginning the selection process for the 2012 Southern Maryland Ambassador. The Southern Maryland Ambassador Program is a semi-annual campaign that puts a face on the March of Dimes mission…the face of a child who was helped by March of Dimes-funded research, programs, or educational campaigns designed to improve infant health. As a living symbol of the March of Dimes mission to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality, the Southern Maryland Ambassador plays a vital role in promoting the Foundation’s outreach.

Throughout the year, the Southern Maryland Ambassador and at least one parent travel across the region to meetings, special events, conferences, and fundraising activities, sharing their compelling story with audiences. During these visits, the Southern Maryland Ambassador may participate in media interviews and photo sessions and makes appearances with local celebrities, public officials, and senior-level corporate management to increase public, awareness of the
March of Dimes mission.

In order to qualify for Southern Maryland Ambassador, the following guidelines must be met:
The March of Dimes must have played some role (through research, community service, public education, etc.) in the child’s story.

The child’s school schedule and the parent’s work schedule(s) should be flexible enough to accommodate regional travel and related appearances without jeopardizing the parent’s employment. (Primarily weekends and/or week nights)

The child and his or her parent(s) must be able to well represent the March of Dimes at local events and volunteer meetings, as well as with media outlets of all types and at all levels.

All applications submitted will be reviewed by a committee to determine if the applicant meets the qualifications outlined in the guidelines. Finalists will be contacted to schedule an interview and photo session with one or more representatives of the Southern Maryland office. The Southern Maryland Ambassador will be chosen by the committee, based on the results of the personal visits, interviews and photo sessions. Notification takes place by letter, informing each family of the committee’s selection.

All interested persons may request an application package by contacting Jennifer Abell at 571-257-2310 or by email jabell@marchofdimes.com. All 2012 application forms are due no later than Friday, December 2, 2011.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies®, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.

Jenn Abell jabell@marchofdimes.com

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

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!!

Check out more photos on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.10150159049919684.302593.45923939683

Quarter Throw Down

Vendor Quarter Auction w/ the FUN BUNCH

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department Social Hall / Leonardtown, MD
Benefits March of Dimes Walk- In Memory of Mason Maggio Team
Doors Open at 1:00PM / Auction begins at 2:00PM
Christine- tomboychristine09@gmail.com or Lisa- lisa_josh0899@yahoo.com

Tickets are $3 each and include door prize ticket and 1 paddle
Additional paddles available at the door for $3 each

ALL ADVANCED TICKETS WILL BE HELD AT THE DOOR – You can pick up your tickets at the door.

You will receive confirmation of your ticket order via email or phone.
Thank you for purchasing your ticket in advance!

Jennifer Abell jabell@marchofdimes.com

Pump it up March of Dimes Fundraiser

Sponsored by the MOMS Club of Waldorf-East
Come jump, slide and climb with the Moms Club of Waldorf East at the #1 indoor inflatable party zone!
Date: Friday, March 25th, 2011
Time: 6:00pm-7:30pm
Location: Pump It Up of Waldorf

Cost: $10 for one child, $15 for two, $20 for three, $25.00 for four (cash only, pay at the door) Ages 10 and under
Parents must stay with children
Everyone must have a signed waiver and socks to jump!

301.638.5867
Pump It Up of Waldorf
109B Post Office Road, Waldorf, MD 20602
www.pumpitupparty.com
Jen Abell jabell@marchofdimes.com

Pea Pod Preemies—Fundraising Events

BRING YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO THE following March of Dimes Fundraising events!

3/16 - Five Guys - La Plata 5 pm - 9 pm
3/24 - Foster’s Grille – Waldorf 11 am - 9 pm
3/30 - Applebee’s - La Plata* 4 pm - 12 am
4/6 - Chuck E. Cheese – Waldorf 3pm – 9pm
4/7 - Chili’s - Waldorf* 11 am - 11 pm
4/12 - TGI Friday’s - Waldorf* 11 am - 2 am
4/13 - Rita’s of La Plata* 5 pm - 8 pm
4/20 - Chick-fil-A - La Plata* 5pm – 7pm

*You will need a personalized Pea Pod
Preemies flyer for these days. Please contact
peapodpreemies@gmail.com to get yours.

You can also donate online at
www.marchforbabies.org/team/peapodpreemies

Jen Abell jabell@marchofdimes.com

Birthday Boys

34 weeks
Brad was 5lbs 14oz and 19.6 inches long
Matthew was 5lbs 0oz and 19.6 inches long
In the NICU for 2 weeks


I went in that morning for a routine physical therapy appointment to help alleviate my back pain. The therapist was concerned about the swelling in my legs and feet and decided to take my blood pressure. It was 160/100. My doctor sent me to the hospital where I stayed overnight to have tests done. The next evening, I was told that my protein levels were through the roof and they were sending me to National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda because St. Mary’s Hospital would not deliver babies less than 35 weeks without a NICU. My husband and I were transported to Bethesda via ambulance. On the way, we picked our final names just in case. Upon arrival, the doctors took vitals, did an ultrasound, and looked over my information. They diagnosed me with preeclampsia and decided to do a c-section. I had no time to get nervous and before you knew it, I had two little boys. Brad was given surfactant for his lungs and his brother was fine for the first 24 hours, but then had trouble regulating his body temperature. They were in the NICU for 2 weeks, but have had no issues at all since birth and are very healthy, active little boys. We decided doing the March of Dimes walk on May 1st, their first birthday, was the perfect way to celebrate a great year! We even made it into the local paper!

I have been a supporter since the birth of my son’s. We did the walk for the first time this year on their first birthday. We plan to continue to make the walk a birthday tradition.

If you would like information on preeclampsia visit http://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/complications_preeclampsia.html

If you would like information on surfactant http://www.marchofdimes.com/research/prematurity_treatment.html


Jenn Abell jabell@marchofdimes.com

St. Mary’s County Kickoff Celebration

You’re Invited



Regional Kickoff Celebration
Nationals Park - PNC Diamond Club
1500 South Capitol Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003

Wednesday, March 2, 2011
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Business Attire

Can’t Attend? What about our local Kickoff?

St. Mary’s County Kickoff Celebration
Panera Bread
45250 Worth Avenue, California, MD 20619

Tuesday, March 1, 2011
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (drop-in) 7:00 p.m. 2010 Awards

Please RSVP to Jennifer Abell at (703) 824-0111, ext. 17
or jabell@marchofdimes.com by Monday, February 21, 2011.

National Capital Area March for Babies Kickoff

SAVE THE DATE

You’re invited to attend the March for Babies Kickoff Celebration on March 2nd 6pm at Nationals Park.

The Kickoff Celebration is an opportunity to learn more about the March of Dimes signature fundraising event, March for Babies. We hope that you can attend to meet other team captains, hear motivating stories and learn more about the mission of the March of Dimes and our impact in the community.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to network with other business leaders, while experiencing some of the best (and exclusive) views of Nationals Park!

Heather Kane
hkane@marchofdimes.com

Charles County March for Babies Kick-off & Biggest Baby Shower February 10th at 5pm at the Civista Atrium

Drop by Civista Atrium on February 10th any time from 5pm to 8pm to learn abut the March for Babies, Collect Supplies, and Drop off Your Donations.

Donations Suggestions Include Preemie Diapers, Diapers, Baby Bottles, Formula & Pack-n-Plays

March for Babies 2010 Awards will be announced at 6pm.

For more information contact Jennifer Abell at 703 824-0111 ext 17 or jabell@marchofdimes.com


Jennifer Abell
jabell@marchofdimes.com