March of Dimes Ambassador Family

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.

Hi there, your new pal Karri here!!

So your saying just keep calling, contacting them etc?? I've contacted the local coordinator several times and have been offered two speaking occasions, but still haven't been given specifics on those things.

I'm trying to walk that fine line between being assertive and being just plain pushy!! You know what I mean? I agree with you, I'm sure they are busy, but I guess I'm just not sure how to read it. Is it that I'm just not what they are looking for, or are they wanting me to keep calling?!?!

Well now that sounds completely confusing. If you can make any sense out of that I'll be impressed!!

Thanks for any advice you can give me!

Karri

It's such a great cause, which is why I want to keep trying. On one hand... the first office I called (Quad Cities IA/IL chapter) I was warmly received, quickly invited to get involved, kept informed of every occasion. We were soon doing commercials, speeches, interviews, making phone calls, etc. I felt connected to the center of the hub. I got emails when to call the senator, etc. The girls were kind, warm and smart!

Since I've moved I'm in the same boat as you.... how many times does a girl have to call? I don't want to seem pushy. I just want to help. But c'mon, it's been 8 months. I know nothing. Noone calls me back. Here I am, the mom of a preemie, a former ambassador family mom, a big fundraiser, I'm throwing myself at them! They don't seem to want the bait.

I got an idea Karri! Let's form our own chapter. Tee hee. Reminds me of when I was little and my brother wouldn't let me join his club, so I made my own. Only then I was, like 7.

Okay so what shall we call this wonderful club??? What about....Club SuperMoms....or...."MOPs"..Moms of Preemies....any suggestions.

I just want to help, and share our story. I have been contacted by our NICU to help start a support group for parents currently in or have been in the NICU. That has me jumping. I will jump up in bed, and Kirk will ask what the problem is, I'll say I just thought of something I need to add to my list.....I have a running list of items to talk with the committee about when we meet. Ideas I have, things I would like to see done. I just want to channel this energy and passion I have. I feel like I've found my new calling in life, or should I say next calling, after being a teacher and then Mom.
This site has helped tremendously with some of this passion. I've healed in ways I didn't think I still needed to do. I've made friends with people I feel like I've known my entire life, because of this amazing experience that affected all of us at such a deep level. It really changes who you are.

Okay what was it you were saying about rambling!! I'll talk to you soon!!
Take care and hug the boys for me!!
Karri

Taegan has been diagnosed with sensory integration dysfunction and has been getting OT for about 1.5 years he is getting better but as he gets older he is now 4 the therapy will be ending and I'm worried he will regress and have difficulty in school. We have chosen to send him to our local catholic school simply because it is quieter and smaller than our public school. Anyone with advice can email me at tevert@frontiernet.net or leave a message here. Thanks I love this web site!

Hi Amanda!

Where in Virginia are you? I'm in Newport News, and we're having a rally Tuesday, so just wondering if it was the same one. If so, I look forward to hearing Sarah's story. Beth was born at 23 weeks and is now 2.

Sharon

I am on the other side of the state ( Southwestern Virginia). In a small town called Hillsville about an hour and 15 minutes from Roanoke.

Well ever since they merged the Northern and Southern California MOD chapters together,and then the Communications Coordinator from the Southern Chapter has left nobody knows what is going on.

I haven't heard anything from anyone since last year at Walk America.I had to call my local chapter office closest to me,and ask about them mailing me some Walk America sponsorship form for my friends and family that I don't need to email.

The woman told me that they would need my help where they will be setting up at Griffith Park to help other parents.I told her that I would definitely be interested.I don't know if they will have us talk on stage,we will see as the time gets nearer.Our walk is on April 30th.

Last year Eleanor~Rose rode on an old fire engine,and she was very excited to ride on it.I don't know what will happen this year as the people at the chapters don't even know too well what is going on.LOL!

Anyways,I hope that once everyone is set with this big change that has been made,everything will work out fine,and I hope that I can do as much to help for the MOD as possible.

Karri -

We have a group at our hospital in Atlanta Georgia called Parents Partnered for Preemies. We arrange care bags for babies in the NICU, birthday parties for alums, staff appreciation days (staff snacks), family walk america team (which our hospital matches funds, yeah!). Anyway, if there is anything I can assist you with you start up this group let me know. If I can't answer you I will find somebody that can

Shannon

Wow Shannon!!

Thats awesome!! I would LOVE any information you can provide!!

I guess if you wouldn't mind could you send me all the information you have. I know thats very broad, but I'll take all the help I can get. I want this to be completely helpful to the parents.
Do you meet monthly, weekly? If you do, do you, have speakers, or just allow the parents to network, share stories, vent, cry!! My initial thoughts are to do a little of both. I'm thinking speakers can provide valuable information on EI, specialists,. While current parents can benefit also from simply talking about their baby and their day! I'm hoping to compile a list of veteran parents to be available to speak with and offer support to current parents. Maybe establish a mentor program of sorts.

Okay so I could go on with this for a loooonnnng time. I will try to contain myself for now. Thanks for all the help you can offer. My email is....klfriedenberger@ameritech.net

Thank you so much!
Karri

Karri -

I will send you a copy of our brochure and responses via e-mail!

Shannon