Marching for Max

We've just signed up for the 2011 March of Dimes, Walk for Babies. Our goal is lofty... $1230. Max was in the NICU for 123 days, so I'm shooting for $10 per day.

So many people have supported us along the way. If each of you gave just $5 or $10, I know we'd reach our goal!

This cause is so important us!!! March of Dimes really provided us with the first information about having a preemie. They told us about all the peaks and dips on the roller coaster ride in the NICU. They explained all the terms we'd hear, what would be done to him and for him, and what we could to to help bond with him and help in his care along the way.

Perhaps most importantly, March of Dimes funds a LOT of research on premature births. Much of the cutting edge technology and treatment used to help Max, is due in part to the March of Dimes. They did the research on the importance of breast milk for babies with NEC. They funded research on the penrose drain that allowed Max's body to heal until he was strong enough for bowel surgery. They are funding even more research now on NEC, which we hope will help pinpoint the cause of this horrible disease, so someday, no parent will have to live through what we did, and no baby will struggle like Max did in those first weeks and months.

We are not normally a family of fundraisers. We make our own donations and I don't like asking friends or family to contribute. (Girl Scout cookies was a first for us) But this is something different and much more special. Troy and I are committed to this cause. The research and family support from the March of Dimes played a BIG role in Max's treatment and survival and we take that very seriously.

We are the lucky ones. Max is alive and bringing joy to our lives everyday. But thousands of babies just like him are born prematurely everyday. They are small and sick and some cannot survive.

I hope that you'll consider donating, even just a few dollars to our team. I'd rather have you donate to the March of Dimes than buy Max a birthday gift. He has everything he needs, and the work the March of Dimes does is truly saving the lives of babies everyday.

Thanks for reading! and listening to my pitch! We'd also LOVE it if any of you would consider joining us to walk with "Team Max" on April 30th. We'll be celebrating Max's first birthday by walking to save other babies lives!!!