March of Dimes -- Walk America

A good friend of ours (and sister of our friend Eric) sent the note below to us. Tanya and Jereld had an experience with their son very similar to ours. I highly encourage all of you to contibute:

• Hello!
  As many of you know, Jereld and I had a son in January. Jaden was born seven weeks early and spent the first four weeks of his life in the NICU at the University of Washington Medical Center. We are so fortunate to have a healthy, beautiful and growing baby home with us now. While in the NICU I was so moved by the babies there- so many, so tiny, so helpless. We were surrounded by many families going through far more difficult experiences than our own, their babies much smaller and sicker than ours. When Jaden did get sick in the NICU, the level of care he recieved was amazing. The nurses and doctors were incredible and it is because of them that we have our precious son home and healthy now.
  The March of Dimes is an organization that conducts research on prematurity, supports the families of premature babies, and provides training to health practitioners within the NICU. Much of the knowledge and technology used in th NICU to help Jaden grow was from the years of research conducted by organizations like the March of Dimes. Having a premature baby in the NICU is like all of a sudden being thrown into a different universe. Everything is completely different than one could have possibly imagined, and the world outside of those walls seems so inconsequential all of a sudden. Families need the research to help prevent premature birth, to help preemie babies, and the programs of support that the MOD provides. So, in gratitude for our Jaden, I have decided to join the MOD's Walk America. I hope this can become a yearly tradition in gratitude for our healthy boy, in order to pass along all the incredible kindness and support shown us by all of you and the NICU staff. We still don't know why Jaden was born prematurely, which makes me even more motivated to support this worthy cause!
  Below you will find a link to my March of Dimes fundraiser page. If you can afford to contribute even the smallest amount, it would be greatly appreciated. Of course, I completely understand if you cannot make any financial contribution- we know what tough times are like!
  Your support in mind and spirit is just as valuable to me as any monetary contribution. If you know of anyone who might be interested in contributing to the walk, please forward this email to them.
  Thanks in advance for your support!
  Tanya
  Walk America 2005
  --
  Tanya Hamilton

To read more about their experience with Jaden, read the great blog that Tanya kept at: Jaden's Blog