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When you donate $75 or more, you’ll be given the opportunity to receive
a HERO T-shirt. It’s simple:
Pregnancy can be difficult at any time. Early in Chelsie’s pregnancy, she thought she was going to lose her baby. At 20 weeks she needed surgery in order to stay pregnant, and then a week later she went into active labor. After having an emergency C-section at 23 weeks due to a placental abruption on top of a lot of blood clotting, her daughter Sarah was in the NICU for 4 months. That first year at home was rough with monthly emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Today Sarah is doing well, but the lasting effects of preterm birth fall on Chelsie. We’re working to end preventable maternal health risks and death so that every mom and baby is healthy.
HELP US REACH OUR GIVING DAY GOAL
Lauren choosing this path makes sense. Her dad, Conrad, says: “Even when she was hooked up with a lot of wires, I saw right through it—that's my daughter, she's breathing, she's beautiful. And unfortunately, she's going through a situation where she's at, but deep down, I looked at her and I knew that she's going to be a fighter."
Being born just a year after the NICU Family Support program was introduced to hospitals across the country, the LaRosa family was one of the first to benefit from its resources. “Rachel made sure that I was in touch with other moms that had been through that journey,” says Lauren’s mom, Amy. “And even while we were in the NICU, there was another family whose son was born about a month after Lauren, and Rachel got us in touch with them and we walked through the NICU experience together.”
Lauren will be the ideal NICU nurse. She knows first-hand what it’s like to be born with, and overcome, serious challenges. She also understands the impact it has on families. “I think Lauren's experience as a patient and then hearing stories from her mom about what that was like to deliver a very small baby, I think she will continue to carry that perspective and be an incredible health care professional,” Rachel says.
It’s amazing how far Lauren has come. “She’s truly my hero and I look up to her every day,” Amy adds. “I’m just so proud of her, and I can't wait to see the rest of this journey that she’s on.” It goes to show where a baby’s potential can lead, and she’s very grateful to be able to share her story. March of Dimes supported Lauren, and soon she’ll be making a difference for families everywhere.
On this Giving Day, people like you can help us continue protecting the health of moms and babies by funding research, providing resources and programs and advocating for policies to help all families get the best possible start.
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DONATE A GIFT OF AT LEAST $75
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19 MILLION WOMEN
were reached through our programs, education and resources.
born each year received lifesaving newborn screening.
4 MILLION BABIES
were advocated for to fight for the health of moms and babies.
106 PIECES OF
STATE LEGISLATION
Thanks to supporters like you, Giving Day was a big success and every dollar we raised will help families across the country get the best possible start.
Even if you missed the big day, it’s not too late to support cutting-edge research, advocacy and programs to help every family thrive. Make your life-changing donation today.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING FAMILIES ON MARCH OF DIMES GIVING DAY
DONATE TODAY
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The U.S. remains among the most dangerous developed nations for
childbirth. But it doesn’t have to. Our third annual March of Dimes Giving Day
is August 25, a day to raise money and awareness for our critical goal of creating a world where babies survive, thrive and grow to reach their amazing potential—babies like Lauren LaRosa, who was born preterm and spent 89 days in the NICU and is now studying to be a NICU nurse.
ONE DAY. BIG IMPACT NOW AND FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
OF FAMILIES.
Our Giving Day is a critical way to help March of Dimes be there for families when they need us most—like those in the NICU.
When babies are given the chance to survive and thrive, they can grow to reach their amazing potential.
YOUR DONATIONS SUPPORT FAMILIES
Lauren LaRosa can't remember a time when she didn't want to grow up and work in the NICU. Her story began in 2002 when she was born preterm at 26 weeks, weighing one pound, seven ounces. She was in the NICU for 89 days, 42 of which she spent on a ventilator. After she went home, she was on oxygen for 15 months and had multiple therapy visits until she was about two years old. But she made it through.
Now her life has come full circle and she’s back where she started: the NICU at Prisma Health Children's Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina. Except this time she’s on the other side of the glass, studying to become a NICU nurse and receiving support and guidance from her mentor Rachel Balck—the same March of Dimes NICU Family Support® Program Coordinator who helped her family get through her preterm birth. “I really want to give back that same love and care that I received when I was a NICU baby to other families that need it,” Lauren says.
FROM NICU GRADUATE TO NICU NURSE
Lauren choosing this path makes sense. Her dad, Conrad, says: “Even when she was hooked up with a lot of wires, I saw right through it—that's my daughter, she's breathing, she's beautiful. And unfortunately, she's going through a situation where she's at, but deep down, I looked at her and I knew that she's going to be a fighter."
Being born just a year after the NICU Family Support program was introduced to hospitals across the country, the LaRosa family was one of the first to benefit from its resources. “Rachel made sure that I was in touch with other moms that had been through that journey,” says Lauren’s mom, Amy. “And even while we were in the NICU, there was another family whose son was born about a month after Lauren, and Rachel got us in touch with them and we walked through the NICU experience together.”
Lauren will be the ideal NICU nurse. She knows first-hand what it’s like to be born with, and overcome, serious challenges. She also understands the impact it has on families. “I think Lauren's experience as a patient and then hearing stories from her mom about what that was like to deliver a very small baby, I think she will continue to carry that perspective and be an incredible health care professional,” Rachel says.
It’s amazing how far Lauren has come. “She’s truly my hero and I look up to her every day,” Amy adds. “I’m just so proud of her, and I can't wait to see the rest of this journey that she’s on.” It goes to show where a baby’s potential can lead, and she’s very grateful to be able to share her story. March of Dimes supported Lauren, and soon she’ll be making a difference for families everywhere.
On this Giving Day, people like you can help us continue protecting the health of moms and babies by funding research, providing resources and programs and advocating for policies to help all families get the best possible start.
Get your Giving Day badge to share with friends and family that you donated to support moms and babies and encourage them to join you!
DONATE NOW
WATCH LAUREN'S STORY
WATCH LAUREN'S STORY
DONATE NOW
HELP US REACH OUR GIVING DAY GOAL
WITH YOUR HELP
FROM NICU GRADUATE TO NICU NURSE
FAMILIES STILL NEED US. WITH YOUR SUPPORT, WE CAN RAISE $500,000 SO MOMS AND BABIES CAN BE HEALTHY AND STRONG.
19 MILLION WOMEN
4 MILLION BABIES
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING FAMILIES ON MARCH OF DIMES GIVING DAY
Thanks to supporters like you, Giving Day was a big success and every dollar we raised will help families across the country get the best possible start.
Even if you missed the big day, it’s not too late to support cutting-edge research, advocacy and programs to help every family thrive. Make your life-changing donation today.
DONATE NOW