Alyssa Nelson

Help me make my goal, if donations made through my page total $600 or more, our family will donate $200 - otherwise I'm only donating $50. I'm walking with the Portland March of Dimes Ambassador team this year. The Mandzij family is the Ambassador family for Portland. Katie Mandzij is a very dear friend of mine. Two of her babies were born prematurely, and with funding and research from the March of Dimes, her babies might not be here today. They very much credit the work of March of Dimes to their family's well-being - with Tanner now a thriving 6 year old - born 8wks early; and Urijah whose 1 and a half was born 6wks early. Here's a video of them on KATU's AM Northwest: http://www.katu.com/amnw/segments/120214384.html Ways to help: Donate, walk, shop, sponsor, donate old cell phones. Here is the link for more information on how to help: http://www.marchofdimes.com/howtohelp/howtohelp.asp Here is what they do with all proceeds donated: RESEARCH *Supporting New Prematurity Research: *Continuing to Support Ongoing Grants: *Identifying National Priorities for Research: INTERVENTIONS AND EDUCATION *Investigating a Promising Intervention: *Providing Grants to Communities: INFORMATION AND SUPPORT FOR AFFECTED FAMILIES *Supporting Families in the NICU. AWARENESS *Raising Awareness and Educating the Public: *Involving the Business Community: PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION *Educating Doctors and Nurses: *New Partnership with Family Medicine Physicians: ADVOCACY FOR MOTHERS AND BABIES *Promoting Legislation in the U.S. Congress: Two bills are being proposed. The PREEMIE Act (Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers Who Deliver Infants Early) would expand research into the causes and prevention of prematurity and enhance education and support services. The second bill, the Prevent Prematurity and Improve Child Health Act, would increase access to health coverage for women, infants and children. *Providing Advocacy Leadership in the States: December 2005