Rebecca Grace

We are kicking off our 8th year supporting the March of Dimes with Team Rebecca Grace!  Unfortunately we will not be able to make it to Boston this year for the big walk and celebration BUT we are still supporting the March of Dimes and plan to repeat the “Hike for Dimes” we did last year!

Rebecca was born at 2:02am May 7th 2017 at just 23 weeks and 5 days gestation, just barely "viable".  She came into the world kicking and fighting and she hasn't stopped since.  At just 1 pound 7 ounces and just 13 inches long she was incredibly small and fragile but it was clear she was a fighter.  Kyle and I promised her we would give her every chance we could and this is how we started our crash course into parenthood.  She never gave up, and neither did we.  After 227 days in three different hospitals, 2 surgeries, countless IVs and central lines, echocardiograms, brain ultrasounds, multiple courses of pneumonia, and 2 IV infections we finally brought her home on December 20th and celebrated our first Christmas as a family.

We often say that throughout this journey we have been both unlucky and incredibly lucky.  We still don't know why my water broke so soon but in those months in the hospital we avoided so many of the complications of premature birth that we spent so much time discussing in the NICU.  She is the strongest person I know and our own example of the fact that miracles do happen.

Becca continues to thrive. Now in 3rd grade she wants to be a conservation biologist when she grows up - she dreams of living in the rainforest with the animals.  She has a dance recital next month in both lyrical and ballet.  She was a defensive force on the basketball court this winter and continues to be adventurous on her skis. She is kind, empathetic, creative, and hilarious.

Our story and the experiences we have had are far too common.  This is the EIGHTH year that we organize this team to raise money and awareness for premature birth, infant loss, and maternal health.  1 in 10 babies in the United States are born premature.  We march in honor of Rebecca and all the other miracle babies out there.  With your donation the March of Dimes can research causes of premature birth, support families like ours struggling to get through each day in the hospital, and fight to get pregnant women the health care they need to ensure that every baby gets the strongest start possible.

Thank you for your time and consideration, any donation helps but it is also incredibly helpful to share our story for others who may be touched and wish to help and to simply spread awareness.

Fight like a preemie!