DAY 26! 26 Days of March of Dimes

WE MADE IT!

Today was Walk Day!  26 posts in 26 days! SO happy we made it!

So, Let me recap for you.  It started raining about 6:30 this morning.  Registration for our walk was set for 9:00am; the walk was to begin at 10:00am.  It rained. And the wind blew.  And it rained.  And it rained harder.  Then it rained.  And it RAINED.  And the wind blew.  And it rained some more.  It was still raining at 11:30 am when we left.  It was a lot of rain.  (Got it?)

So, we had to scramble late last night for a rain location since we knew the rain was in the forecast.  SO THANKFUL that worked out.  Even though we were super bummed we had to forgo the walk, and simply do the "program" part of it indoors.  Somewhat surprisingly, we had a GREAT turn out!  And it was a lot of fun!  I'll let the pictures say the rest.  I'm tired.  And ready for bed...

Emma & Lara showing off our banner before we head out

Wet. Wet. Wet.

Lisa and Britt ditched their shoes and socks for the parking lot lake

This was a common site by every door

Super AWESOME Super AMAZING cupcakes from the BRAND NEW Bella Maria bakery!

Recognition Beads and color chart

Team Finn's Fans & Roman's Empire banners

My VERY special and thoughtful gift from my Sister-In-Love!  (those are my 4 kids' birthstones!)  And, those are rain spots on my T-shirt.  'Cause it was raining.

Me and My Miracle! (Sporting my parent and committee member beads!)

Back of Finn's Shirt: Team Finn's Fans- 26 Weeks, 84 Days in the NICU, 860 Grams, OUR ADVENTURE

Back of Team shirt: "As soon as I saw you I knew an Adventure was going to happen." Winnie the Pooh

Pistol Pete is a Finn's Fan!

Did I mention it was raining?  Jake, Lara and Emma loved it.

Presentation time!

Team Finn's Fans!  Grandpa, Nana the Wonder Sitter, Me, Finn, Britt, Lara, Emma, Jake and Aunt Paula

It was really a good time.  Team Finn's Fans won awards for the most money raised over-all, the most money raised by a family team, and 2nd runner up for T-shirt design.  The Six Dream Weavers also received a nice plaque for being 2013 Ambassador family, and Britt & Betsey each got recognized with small gift for being on the MFB Committee for this year.

We want to thank all of YOU for helping us reach our goal!  As of bank day on Thursday, we had raised just under $2600 dollars.  Based on feedback we received from the Adorable Affordables sale, the March of Dimes cut outs are selling like HOT CAKES!  I bet we reach $3,000 before we are done!  SO EXCITING!  The babies love you for loving them!  See ya next year!

Day 25: 26 Days of March of Dimes

Volunteers

2012

More than 7 million people get involved in our largest fundraiser each year. March for Babies® raises awareness and $108 million to fund lifesaving research and community programs. 

1973

The first March of Dimes walkathons took place in 1970, setting the stage for the growth of WalkAmerica®, which became March for Babies in 2008.

1963

Even the youngest volunteers understand the importance of helping others. Today, thousands of young people, from elementary school to college, help the March of Dimes, often inspiring a lifetime of volunteering.

1950

As polio epidemics grew more widespread, volunteers went door to door to collect dimes so researchers working in labs could develop a successful vaccine. The campaign was known as Mothers March®.

Source:  http://www.marchofdimes.com/mission/mission-75.aspx#

Team Finn's Fans had "BANK DAY" yesterday.  We turned in all the cash and checks we had collected, and reconciled the on-line donations.  Our goal was $2575.00.  At yesterday's event, we turned in $2,579.00!  And still counting!  We are so blessed that Adorable Affordables is not only a corporate sponsor for the March tomorrow, they are also graciously selling March for Babies "cut outs" at the registers during the sale this week.  here is a picture of the "Wall of Babies" from friday morning!

 

Thank you all SO VERY MUCH for supporting Team Finn's Fans and most importantly, March of Dimes and the mission they have for healthy moms and babies!  My dream is that SOMEDAY, no baby will have to be born prematurely!

 

 

Day 24: 26 Days of March of Dimes

Presidents

2012

Presidents have always supported the March of Dimes and its mission to improve the health of America’s youngest citizens, including Barack Obama who met with Board of Trustees Chair LaVerne H. Council, and March of Dimes president Dr. Jennifer L. Howse.

1986 

Ronald Reagan met with Scott Cunningham, the March of Dimes National Ambassador who underwent advanced surgery immediately after birth to close his spine.

1961 

John F. Kennedy, whose own son Patrick was born prematurely and later died from breathing problems, welcomed Linda Breese to the White House. The March of Dimes poster child suffered disabilities caused by spina bifida.

1941 

Franklin D. Roosevelt, himself stricken with polio, showed sincere concern for children at the rehab center he created in Warm Springs, Ga.

source:  http://www.marchofdimes.com/mission/mission-75.aspx#

We couldn't do it without your help!  CLICK HERE to show your support! 

Day 23: 26 Days of March of Dimes

Celebrities

2012

Dee Snider, front man for 1980s rock band Twisted Sister, the father of two premature babies and the national spokesperson for Bikers for Babies®, has raised millions of dollars for the March of Dimes.

1979

Robert Redford continued the longstanding tradition of supporting the March of Dimes National Ambassador program, meeting with poster children like Betsy Burch.

1958

Marilyn Monroe appeared with March of Dimes poster children at the annual March of Dimes fashion show at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York. The event drew people from the worlds of entertainment, fashion and high society, just as today’s Beauty Balls® do.

1956

Elvis Presley was one of many stars who supported the March of Dimes by promoting polio vaccination. Louis Armstrong, Grace Kelly and Frank Sinatra also encouraged their fans to get the polio vaccine after it was licensed in 1955.

source:  http://www.marchofdimes.com/mission/mission-75.aspx#

Be a STAR for March of Dimes yourself!   CLICK HERE to donate!

 

 

Day 22: 26 Days of March of Dimes

Nursing

1955

During polio epidemics, nurses played a vital role in patient care and found countless ways to comfort young children with the disease.

 

1967

As March of Dimes researchers expanded knowledge of birth defects, we armed nurses with education in prenatal care. Today we offer a wide range of nursing modules to help nurses translate the latest research into the care they provide.

 

1995

As the crisis of premature birth grew, the March of Dimes supported professional development for nurses caring for critically ill babies in newborn intensive care units. Babies’ lives depend on the quality of care that these highly skilled nurses can give them. 

 

2010

One of the ways the March of Dimes recognizes the outstanding work of nurses is through our Nurse of the Year awards. We also award several scholarships annually to nurses enrolled in graduate programs in maternal-child health.

source:  http://www.marchofdimes.com/mission/mission-75.aspx#

Support March of Dimes with your Donation HERE! 

Day 21: 26 Days of March of Dimes

Prematurity

1976

Recognizing the urgency of treating critically ill babies close to home, the March of Dimes played a vital role in creating a regional system of newborn intensive care units (NICUs).

1985

The March of Dimes funded the development of surfactant therapy to treat respiratory distress syndrome in premature babies. Danielle Cofey was one of the first babies to be treated successfully in the United States.

2003

The March of Dimes launched a national Prematurity Campaign to raise awareness of the serious problem of preterm birth and to help reduce the alarming number of babies born too soon in the United States.

2011

Dr. David K. Stevenson leads the research team at the new March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center at Stanford University School of Medicine. Scientists from different disciplines share their knowledge to find the causes of premature birth.

 

source:  http://www.marchofdimes.com/mission/mission-75.aspx#

 

***TODAY*** kicks of March for Babies week in  Stillwater!  Some teams are getting together TODAY to make "Memory Boards" to be displayed along the March route.  We are getting ready to close out the "thirty-one gifts" party, but there is still time to shop TODAY by clicking here!  AND, of course, Team Finn's Fans needs your donations!  TODAY, we are still at 72% of our BIG goal and we would LOVE to surpass it! CLICK HERE to donate TODAY!

Day 20: 26 Days of March of Dimes

Day 20: NICU Nursing

Another weekend post about March of Dimes, another Pinterest Palooza!  This time, the focus is NICU nursing!  We would be so lost with out the warriors of this wonderful profession! Here is a GREAT article "Dear NICU Nurse" to read that we came across last week.  It really touched our hearts, and we hope it can give you a glimpse into the lives of NICU parents and NICU nurses.

And then, on to the PINS!  (Click on each thumbnail to see all the pinned goodness!)

NICU Nursing:

NICU Nursing:

LIFE AFTER NICU:

I'M A NICU NURSE:

NICU RESOURCES:

That's just a quick view into the lives and views of these amazing nurses.  We had the best of the best, and we are so grateful for it!  They are some of the March of Dimes GREATEST supporters!  You can be, too, by DONATING to Team Finn's Fans and help us Save the Babies!

Day 19: 26 Days of March of Dimes

Pinterest: March for Babies

I love Pinterest.  Can't help it.  I just do!  So, today's 26 Days post is a bit fluffier.  Today, I want to share with you a few of my FAVORITE Pinterest boards that have to do with March for Babies!

Take a look around!  Enjoy!  DONATE to Team Finn's Fans!

Click on each thumbnail below to visit the board!

MARCH FOR BABIES:

 

MARCH FOR BABIES FAMILY TEAM - PIRATE POWER:

MARCH FOR BABIES:

MARCH FOR BABIES:

and of course, the OFFICIAL MARCH OF DIMES MARCH FOR BABIES Pinterest board!

OK!  Now that you have wasted a little time on a Saturday, get back to your regularly scheduled day!  Stay tuned for more "fluff" tomorrow!

Day 18: 26 Days of March of Dimes

75 Years - Polio Vaccine

1946

 

During devastating polio epidemics, the March of Dimes paid for and transported thousands of iron lungs to help patients breathe when their own muscles were weakened or paralyzed. 

1949

 

The March of Dimes funded Dr. Jonas Salk whose research led to a “safe, effective and potent” polio vaccine in 1955 and saved thousands of lives. The March of Dimes also funded Dr. Albert Sabin’s work on an oral vaccine licensed in 1962.

 

1954

 

The March of Dimes organized testing of the Salk polio vaccine with 1.8 million schoolchildren who became known as “Polio Pioneers” and were part of the largest peacetime mobilization of volunteers in our history.

2011

 

Today, vaccines protect children from polio and 14 other serious diseases, including chickenpox, rubella, the flu and hepatitis.

You can help, too, by donating to Team Finn's Fans! 

 

Source: http://www.marchofdimes.com/mission/mission-75.aspx#