Alex Welfringer

What is March for Babies: A Mother of a Movement™?

The March of Dimes’ (MoD) “March for Babies:  A Mother of a Movement” calls on people across the country to unite and fundraise to create positive change for moms and babies everywhere, especially those most at risk.

Who Does Your Captain Walk For?

[From Alex Welfringer:]  On May 10, 2022, my daughter, Camryn, was born.  She was born completely healthy, and my husband and I took her home after a day in the hospital.  However, just 11 short days later, Camryn became very ill and was admitted to the NICU.  The doctors did everything they could to save her, but unfortunately Camryn tragically passed on May 21, 2022.  In the aftermath of losing Camryn, the March of Dimes was one of the amazing organizations that came alongside my husband and I and provided us with extremely useful resources as we began navigating our grief.  

Why Should I Donate?

By joining us in this movement, you are:

• UNITING for health equity, opening the door for all moms to have access to care and protecting the health of families by advocating for their rights.
• CONNECTING year-round through customized challenges and team building activities that engage employees, families and friends who want moms and babies to be healthy and strong.
• HONORING motherhood, babies and those who've experienced loss by staying active and creating change.
• CARING for all families throughout their pregnancy—whether it goes as planned or has unexpected challenges—by raising critical funds, so moms and babies get the best possible start.

Why Support March of Dimes:  Supporting March of Dimes is supporting your community.  I have received numerous messages with personal stories from colleagues, friends, family.  With her permission, I share one with you here from Chelsea Rogas, an associate in HK's Boston office:

[From Chelsea Rogas:] On December 28, 2022, our son Miles was delivered early under emergency circumstances. Miles had lost oxygen and was in distress.  He was immediately taken to the Brigham NICU where he was treated with therapeutic cooling for swelling of his brain. There he stayed for six days where he was closely monitored by a joint team of specialists from BWH and Children's Hospital.  Now a healthy 16-month-old toddler, Miles continues to be monitored by a full care team including childhood development specialists, physical therapists, neurologists and various other specialists.

Many others are not so lucky. With preterm birth and maternal death rates continuing to rise, Chris and I are committed to raising funds for the March of Dimes.  Its mission to end preventable maternal health risks and death, end preventable preterm birth and infant death, and close the health equity gap for all families very near and dear to our hearts.

When you donate to March for Babies, you unite, connect, honor, and care for every family to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.  More specifically, by way of some examples, your contribution will:  (1) provide support for NICU families, including education and meals during a difficult time; (2) give a NICU team March of Dimes training on family-centered care to better support families, and (3) support lifesaving research to stop preterm birth before it happens, among other things. 

EVERY FAMILY DESERVES THE BEST POSSIBLE START.