Caitlin and Chris Kirklin

This will be the 10th year of March for Babies for the Kirklin Family.  We are just as committed to the cause today as we were all those years ago, and are so grateful to the many friends and family who have supported us all along this journey.

This year, the Kirklin Family will be doing a neighborhood walk in support of March for Babies and our superhero daughter, Madison, and in memory of our beloved angel, Grace.   Anyone is welcome to join us!

Our Story:

After their mother, Caitlin, spent a week in the hospital on bedrest to slow labor and delay delivery, Madison and Grace were born on December 7, 2016 at just 25 weeks and 1 day via emergency c-section.  Madison Louise was born first at 720 grams with Grace Virla delivered shortly after weighing only 715 grams (both about 1 lb 9 oz).  After 2 days in the NICU, our darling angel Grace sadly passed away after succumbing to all too common premature baby issues - a serious brain bleed and collapsed lungs.  Since babies aren't supposed to be born that early, her lungs and brain did not have time to fully develop to sustain life outside of the womb.  We continue to mourn our baby Grace every day, and are so fortunate that after 105 days in the hospital, Madison came home, thanks to the support of amazing medical technology and incredible nurses and doctors.

Premature babies are able to survive earlier birth thanks to research and discoveries made possible by organizations like the March of Dimes.  Still, with two babies dying every hour in the U.S., and two women dying every day as a result of complications from pregnancy tells us there is still so much more to be done. #ItsNotFine. Together, we can do something about it, and we are so grateful for your support!