Jackson Harvey was born on December 29th, full term and healthy. On December 31st, just two days later, he received a heel prick test in the hospital, as all newborns do. The test showed he had jaundice. My husband and I spent New Year’s Eve 2013 on the peds floor of Baptist Health Lexington, while Jackson received phototherapy. He was better the next day, and we were able to go home. Compared to many families, that was an easy hospital experience. But, newborn screening tests, like the heel prick test, is a direct result of March of Dimes research and funding. If Jackson had been sent home without that critical screening, we have no way of knowing how sick he could have become, before we realized it, and got him back to the hospital. Just a perfect example of how March of Dimes affects all babies, and in turn, all families.
March of Dimes has a proven track record of solving critical problems; like polio and birth defects. Join me and/or donate to my March for Babies team, so March of Dimes can continue it's focus of improving the health of moms and babies. The U.S. maternal mortality rate has increased 89% since 2018, and 1 in 9 babies in Kentucky are born premature. Join me so no parent has to leave the hospital without their newborn in their arms. THANK YOU!
March of Dimes is dedicated to bringing people together to tackle America's maternal and infant health crisis—one person, one community, and one step at a time. More than a series of walks, March for Babies is an annual tradition that supports moms and babies every day, every step of the way.
March for Babies connects friends, families, and coworkers to improve the health of families nationwide. Together with March of Dimes, each step forward brings us closer to a healthy future for all.
Thank you for your support!
