March of Dimes Ambassador Family

My daughter Faith had the opportunity to be the 2004 Utah Ambassador. Faith was born at 23 weeks 1lb 3oz. Sorry that we weren't able to meet you. What do you have to do to become National family.

Maryellen Hilton

Absolutely! Contact your local chapter! I admire you for being willing to do this! I met "Ricky's mom" this year from New Jersey and had the most heart wrenching story to share, it motivated everyone to make sure this doesn't happen again!!

Hugs!
Michele

Hello Everyone!

My daughter Abby was born at 29 wks, weighed 3 lb 1 oz. We've just been named as the Ambassador Family for the Green River area in Western Kentucky! We just attended an Annual Scholarship Benefit Evening, where we were named as the Ambassador Family. The night had a 70's theme & the 3 of us dressed the part, my husband even sported an afro! We had so much fun & are looking so forward to telling others our story! I believe being able to put a face with a cause means SO much & if our story can touch and help just one person then I feel like we've really done something!

Hugs!
Sarah

We have been involved with the MOD for the past six years. The first four we only raised money and walked with my employer, not knowing we would ever need the services of a NICU. The last two years we have walked for my premature twins (27 weekers) and were the ambassador family for our county last year. (We were also the top walkers for our county thanks to their Grandma's great sales pitch to get donations in their names.) For anyone wanting to do this-DO IT! It is a great thrill to see everyone turn out at the events and there are so many parents of premature babies that walk in the WalkAmerica program.

Peggy
mom to: Fernando and Isabelle-27 weekers at 2 lbs. 2 oz.
              Trenton-37 weeker at 6 lbs. 5oz.

Our son Hunter was born 8 weeks premature in the Northwest Arkansas Area. We would absolutely love to be an ambassador family! How do we get more information?

Benjamin and I would love to be an Ambassador Family! We live in Stroudsburg, PA. Could you tell me some of the responsibilities of an Ambassador Family? Our wonderful Social Worker back in Mt. Sinai Hospital where Benjamin was born on 12/24/99, has always kept in touch with us and we have discussed this issue. She now works with the March of Dimes. Her name is LIZA COOPER and we would not have made it through that whole NICU experience without her commitment and wonderful support.

I also wanted to say THANK YOU for your commitment to such a wonderful cause. Five years ago, we did not have a site like this. I can remember feeling so alone and no one understanding what I was going through, except the Moms I had the pleasure of meeting in the NICU! So, it gives me great pleasure to read these magnificent stories and acknowledge their strength and courage!

I received your LIVE messages.....I'm not sure if you are receiving my responses back!!!

Have a great Holiday!

Brenda & Benjamin

Dear Brenda!
Thank you for your wonderful comments! It is my honor and privilege to be a part of this wonderful organization and to help families of NICU babies!!!

I have to also tell you that I love Liza Cooper!!! She is a BIG reason this site is up and running and has been a HUGE advocate for NICU families! We, as NICU grads parents, are so BLESSED to have her on our side!! For those of you that don't know Liza, she is the manager of NICU Family Support at the MOD's National Office. Liza has made a difference to many, many NICU families!!

Brenda, isn't it nice to know you will never be alone again in your post-NICU journey?!!!

Hugs!
Michele

Hi Michele,

I am definitely in wonderful, great, fantastic, beautiful, did I say fantastic...COMPANY on this site!!!!

LIZA was one of Benjamin's wonderful Guardian Angels...her wings always matched her wardrobe! WE LOVE HER!!

I did contact PA's MOD....and hopefully I'm sure they will keep me busy!

Have a Great Thanksgiving!

Brenda & Benjamin

Hi Mrs. Brenda, I am an 11 year old sixth grade girl, and I am writing an essay about March of Dimes. I chose the topic premature babies and I appreciate my life more after reading some of the stories.

I would like to ask what is the most important thing you could tell me about premature babies and March of Dimes?

Sincerely,
Kyla Bolton

I am Dana, Mom to Lindsey who was born 3/19/03 at 25 weeks. Can you give me more information on being an ambassador family in my area.

Thank you.

Hi Kyla,

Well Kyla, I think that is a pretty good topic for an essay and I am totally impressed that you are 11 years old and have such an interest.

First, the March of Dimes has been so committed to doing research on premature births, the family unit and the NICU, plus tons of other related topics that center all on the same thing...prematurity. I think one of the important things about premature babies is that every situation is different, yet all parents go through similar ups and downs in the NICU. Every life is important, and with the continued help and support of the March of Dimes, we will be able to save more babies. I hope you are gathering all your notes from the SHARE Community there are tons of interesting and helpful information here!!! Let me know how your paper goes....maybe you can share it with all of us here!!! I think that would be a wonderful contribution from such a smart 11 year old!!!

Kyla, let me know if you need more help or if you have more questions....and I'll try my best to help you out! My son was born at 34 weeks on 12/24/99 with NEC (bowel and intestinal infection) and he weighed 5 lbs. 3.5 oz, and was 19 inches long. So you see not all babies are 1 and 2 or 3 lbs.

Good Luck and let me know how it goes!!

Brenda & Benjamin

Hi Michele,

I have contacted my local MOD's (Berks County Sub-Division) to find out how to become an Ambassador Family. I plan on meeting Jasmine in the coming weeks, around our busy schedules. We have been doing the WalkAmerica since 2003. Our son was born 6 weeks early on Dec 26. and we have a daughter who was born on March 31st with a congenital heart defect. They have helped both my children and I'm sooo glad to do whatever I can

Katie andnowtheres2@yahoo.com

Hi Lisa,

My name is Jessica and my youngest son Kent was born @ 24weeks! He weighed 1 lb 13.5 oz and was 14 in long! He is 7 months old and 13 lbs now and doing great! Hope you and yours are as well. I would like to know more about the Ambassador family. What it involves and so forth. Hope to hear from you soon!

I would also like to learn more about being an Ambassador family. So far I have participated in WalkAmerica, but would be willing to do more. My daughter was born at 25 weeks, 1 lb 11 oz. She's now 14 months old, 20 pounds, and is a beautiful girl!

-Suzanne

Hey Suzanne:

Thanks for writing. And thanks for participating in WalkAmerica!! The best way to learn more about becoming an ambassador family is to contact your local March of Dimes chapter. You can do that by going to http://www.marchofdimes.com and finding your local chapter.

Let us know how you do. And congratulations on your beautiful daughter!!

Ellen

Hi, my name is Melissa Middleton. My husband and I are the proud parents of quadruplets born on June 10th 2003, at 25 weeks. Our son Alexander is deceased. However, our other 3 our thriving!

We are very interested in becoming an ambassador family. It would mean a great deal to us to get involved with premature issues...and to give back to the March of Dimes. Without MOD, I doubt Ben, Callie, and Donovan would all be tumbling around our living room right now.

Just point me in the right direction!

Hey Melissa:

Thanks for your message and for participating on the Share site. The best way to learn more about becoming an ambassador family is to contact your local March of Dimes chapter. You can do that by going to http://www.marchofdimes.com and finding your local chapter. See the top right of the Web site.

Best wishes to you and your family.

Pam with the March of Dimes

Hi! I am Stacia Christians, mom to Dane and Gray, 26 5/7 weekers who are now 22 months old. Talking, walking, and generally driving me insane. But, we have been through months of stressful times. I am new to this website, but, know that the March of Dimes will be our charity of choice for life. Would love to help in any way possible. Especially helping other families. Please let me know what to do! Stacia

Hi Stacia:

The March of Dimes is so grateful for your support. To get involved you can contact your local March of Dimes chapter. You can tell me where you're from and I can have your local March of Dimes chapter call you, or you can cut and paste this link: http://www.marchofdimes.com/aboutus/chapter_view_all.asp to find a link to your chapter.

Either way, we're so happy to have you aboard and wish you and your twins all the best...

Ellen

Hi I'm Jessica, mom to Angel Destiny Paige who was born on 3/25/02 at 24.5 weeks. I was a family Ambassodor for 2 years and Chairperson for 1 year. Now I am the Campaign Coordinator.. I hope this finds all is well..
Lots of Love
Jess

We will be moving to TX in May, but when we get there and settled, I plan to find out how I can volunteer with the local MOD. I would love for us to be an Ambassador family when Micah is a little older. Maybe this is a silly question, but I was wondering what the qualifications of being an Ambassador family are? Micah was 32 weeks and is now very healthy. The Ambassador stories I recall reading are of babies born much earlier than that. We had many trials with Micah's prematurity, but I always feel like we were "lucky" that I was as far along as I was when Micah was born, and we were!!! I don't know how to word this...sometimes I feel like I shouldn't have so many emotions about Micah's prematurity since he's doing so well and wasn't as early as other babies. But I do, and to me that is good because it drives me to help in any way that I can. I can't wait for Walk America!!!!

Rebekah
mommy to Micah
born 10.2.04 at 32 weeks

Hi, Rebekah: This is Pam with the national office of the March of Dimes. Please contact your local March of Dimes office for more information on the ambassador program. If you need helping locating them, please send me the city in Texas where you will be living. The office can also describe the full range of volunteer opportunities available to you.

Thank you for walking and for your commitment to the March of Dimes.

Best wishes, Pam

I was just contacted yesterday about my Sarah being an ambassador for my area in Virginia. I am so thrilled and I am at the top of the world. I am attending the Walk America kick off meeting Tuesday ,March 15th and I am going to get to talk with the Community Director for our part of the region. Can't wait to patricipate and share Sarah's story. She was born at 26 weeks.
 

YEAH, Amanda!!! Congratulations, I know you will do a great job!!! Thanks for being willing to share Sarah's story!!

Hugs!
Michele

How do you become an ambassador family?

HOW DO YOU BECOME AN AMBASSADOR FAMILY?

I would love to be an Ambassador Family...what does one have to do?

I got in touch with my state office. This whole process has taken almost a year for somebody to actually get in touch with me but it paid off. Good Luck!!

I'd say try again, but I also know the frustration of being neglected from the local office.

We were an ambassador family for the Quad Cities IA/IL Mississippi Valley area. I was always informed of meetings, kick offs, chefs, speaking events, etc. Sometimes, they only needed me to make a few phone calls, othertimes speeches, TV appearances, newspaper stories. I was involved as much as I could be with a preemie who couldn't leave home. I loved the girls and other volunteers... we were more than just involved as volunteers, we were buddies and called eachother just to chat.

My husband then got a new job and we moved across the state near Des Moines. I called to tell them I was coming. My local chapter called and told them I was coming. I called again. I called again. And again. I still have no idea what's going on locally. I've lived here now for almost 8 months. I wasn't told about Walk Kick-off or any events.

They had a lobby day here at the state capitol in Des Moines about some bills important to MOD's causes. I got a call from my friends back in the Quad Cities saying "I can't believe you weren't there! We missed you! We thought for sure you'd go since it's so close to you!" I didn't even know it was going on.

I did stuff some envelopes for them containing Walk America registration forms. Strangely enough, though, I wasn't on the mailing list and still haven't gotten a form. Doesn't matter, I registered online. I didn't even know when Walk America was in Des Moines until the girls from the Quad Cities chapter told me.

Seems strange to go from being the Ambassador family and top walker for our former chapter to having no connection or contact from the new office. Maybe they're too busy???

I am still fundraising online. However, we are walking at the Walk in our former hometown (3 hours away) because they are the only ones keeping us informed. I've done everything but throw myself at this office. Noone should have to work that hard to volunteer. Now it's just awkward.

I just reread my post and realized how glum it sounds!

I don't want to discourage anyone from contacting their local office and getting involved. Being an ambassador family made me feel like Logan's prematurity had purpose. I felt like so much had been given TO our family from saving graces like Surfactant and nitric oxide. Giving speeches, talking with the newspaper, making the MOD commercial and trying to get people to donate was so rewarding for our family. I really felt like it was the only opportunity I had to give back to an organization who has done SO MUCH for my son and for so many other precious preemie lives.

Fundraising, doing Walk America, even stuffing envelopes is so gratifying for us because it empowers us to find meaning in Logan's story.