Hi, friends! We will be doing 'March for Liam!' on April 25th at Unity Park GVL this year with March of Dimes. I've linked our fundraiser below for Team Liam, and have shared a bit of our story as well.
"In April 2024, Marc and I went in for what I thought would be a routine prenatal appointment. But soon after, we found ourselves being rushed to the hospital in a state of panic. When my OB-GYN called us into his office after speaking with the hospital's labor and delivery team, he told us I was dilated and to immediately go to the labor and delivery floor. Marc and I were left frozen, overwhelmed with confusion and tears.
There were no birthing classes, hospital tours, or packed bags ready for the big day. The nursery wasn’t prepared, and there were no baby showers or celebrations. There wasn’t even a name. After three days of uncertainty and being shuffled between five different hospital rooms, I was rushed into an emergency cesarean to deliver Liam very preterm. There was no cry when he was born, no time to hold my baby, to bond with the baby that grew inside of me for 6.5 months. Just a heavy weight of anxiety and uncertainty as we tried to process the reality of our situation, as he was rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
I felt so relieved that Liam was okay, that he was breathing. But as I was being wheeled back and forth from the NICU each day, I silently cried and covered my face with shame. I could hear the laughter and conversations from the neighboring maternity wards, where babies rested peacefully in their mothers' bassinets. How lucky they must have felt, knowing the sound of their baby’s cry. It was in those small moments that I realized it was something I would never take for granted.
There is so much more to share about the 67 days we spent in the NICU as a family. It was the scariest, most unexpected, and surreal experience of our lives. We are beyond grateful that Liam is now healthy and thriving, with his regular doctor checkups and therapies. Some days, I still find myself in awe, watching him and reflecting on how far he's come. March of Dimes was our rock during our darkest days, and I will forever be grateful for the support they gave us as a family. "
I joined the movement to create positive change for moms and babies everywhere, especially those most at risk. With preterm birth and maternal death rates continuing to rise, I’m committed to raising funds so that every family gets the best possible start. Here is a link to learn more about where these funds go: https://www.marchofdimes.org/about-us/celebrate-our-history
If you've made it this far- Thank you for reading our story. Please visit my fundraising page to donate for a better future for both mothers and babies!
With preterm birth rates continuing to rise, the U.S. remains among the most dangerous developed nations for childbirth, especially for women and babies of color.
At March for Babies™ you're lifting up communities, creating connections and taking action to make America a more equitable place and ensure that every mom and baby is healthy.
Together, we’re marching to raise funds and awareness to transform the health of all families!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Thank you to our local sponsors
