Sisters-In-Motion Memphis 5K Run/Walk

Sisters-In-Motion is a 2012 grantee of the March of Dimes. Saturday 29, 2012 is the 3rd Annual Sisters-In-Motion Memphis 5K Run/Walk.

Where: Overton Park Memphis, TN

When: September 29, 2012

The 1 Mile Family Fun Run begins at 8:30AM

The 5K Race begins at 9:00AM

This event will benefit Christ Community Health Service Centering Pregnancy.

Register Online HERE

For more information call: 901-569-1198



Healthy Babies Are Worth The Wait

PREGNANCY VIDEO TREND SPREADS “HEALTHY BABIES ARE WORTH THE WAIT” MESSAGE

March of Dimes Uses “Real” Video In New Awareness Campaign

The March of Dimes created a new television public awareness campaign, using footage from a London couple who posted a video online as a way to share their pregnancy experience with their family and friends.  The March of Dimes found the video with the help of the non-profit’s cause marketing agency, Crossroads, based in Kansas City, Missouri. Created by Tim Warwood and Lucy Ball, the original video chronicles Lucy’s pregnancy with video clips and pictures. The couple ended the video with the introduction of their baby girl, Liliah, who was born full-term and healthy in October 2009.

“This video is authentic and real and women relate to it because they’re probably creating something similar to share their pregnancy story with family and friends,” said Douglas A. Staples, senior vice president of strategic marketing and communications for the March of Dimes.  “We’re tapping into that connection to share our important health message that healthy babies are worth the wait, and if your pregnancy is healthy, you should wait for labor to begin on its own rather than scheduling an induction or cesearean delivery.”

Check out the video above or see it on YouTube Here !

Worldwide, 15 million babies are born too soon each year and more than one million of those infants die as a result of their early births.  Babies who survive an early birth often face the risk of lifelong health challenges, such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities and others. Even babies born just a few weeks early have higher rates of hospitalization and illness than full-term infants

The video is an expansion of the March of Dimes “Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait” campaign which educates women and health care providers about the importance of a full term pregnancy because critical development of the brain, lungs and other organs occur during the last weeks of pregnancy. Additional information is available at marchofdimes.com/39weeks.

In addition to the televised video, the campaign includes online and print advertising, as well as patient education materials. The March of Dimes partnered with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in a new federal program called Strong Start to co-brand the awareness materials and distribute them more widely.  Also, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officers is challenging its members to reduce premature birth rates by 8 percent by 2014 and encouraging them to run the new spot; 45 and the District of Columbia states, have accepted this challenge.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health.  With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies^®, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.

Nurse of the Year 2012 Nominations

Nashville/ Middle Tennessee Area: Do you have a favorite Nurse? Do you know a Nurse that is top-notch and should be titled Nurse of the Year? Show them off and nominate them!

Click below to nominate a nurse in Middle Tennessee for the 2012 Nurse of the Year Awards!

https://marchofdimesnoty.wufoo.com/forms/nurse-of-the-year-nomination-tennessee-chapter/

Infant mortality decreased in Tennessee- Now a better Kids Count ranking

TN kids are healthiest in South, according to Kids Count ranking (TN/Gonzalez)

Despite gains, Tennessee lingered among the bottom 10 states for education Kids in Tennessee rank as the healthiest in the South — to the surprise of even some state officials — in the latest state-by-state comparison of the well-being of children.

The 2012 Kids Count Data Book, released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, shows fewer teens abusing alcohol and drugs, fewer kids living without health insurance and fewer babies being born at low birth weights in the Volunteer State. Those measures placed Tennessee 16th in the nation in children’s health, one place ahead of Virginia and far above other southern states. Measures the state has struggled with in past Kids Count studies, including childhood obesity, infant mortality and access to dental care, were not considered.

Going beyond health, the foundation considered 16 total factors, and ranked the state at 36th overall for child well-being, the state’s best placement to date and an improvement on last year’s 39th-place ranking. But the news wasn’t all good. The study found economic hardship still rising, with one of four Tennessee kids now living in poverty. And Tennessee lingered among the bottom 10 states for education. Three-fourths of fourth graders fail to read proficiently, a decline that goes against a national trend of improvement.

HYPERLINK "http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/NEWS21/307250105/TN-kids-healthiest-South-according-Kids-Count-ranking?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1" http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/NEWS21/307250105/TN-kids-healthiest-South-according-Kids-Count-ranking?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1

Personal Effects of Infant Mortality- Ketara Drake's Story

Ketara Drake is a recent graduate from the University of Memphis. She is a member of the USAF Air National Gaurd and plans to further her training and explore career opportunities in Public Affairs.
Not only is Ketara a brilliant and successful young woman, but she is also has experienced unfortunate events in her life that many 22 year olds have not. She submitted a story to the March of Dimes Memphis in order to spread the word about infant mortality. She wants everyone to be aware that this situation is REAL and can be changed with your help.

Here is Ketara's Story:

" On June 13, 2010, I found out that I was pregnant and that my due date was March 15, 2011. My family was shocked and a bit upset. I was a junior at the University of Memphis and having a baby at the time just did not fit in well with my future plans. As time went on they became thrilled and excited.

Photo: Ketara (left) during pregnancy
My six-month check-up had arrived on November 5 and we went to find out the gender of the baby. To our surprise, the ultrasound technician told us something was wrong. They didn't want to scare us...but it was too late.

She scheduled us an appointment with a specialist and our worst nightmares were coming true. Dr. BK revealed to us that my baby boy was sick and that he wasn't going to live. So, here I am excited that I now know the gender, but I'm also heartbroken that my little man was going to die.

I began to ask myself what could have caused this? Was this my fault? The doctor explained that it wasn't my fault. I went to all of my doctor's visits and I ate healthy foods, but sometimes things just happen. I felt defeated and betrayed. I did what I was supposed to do and nothing helped.

I continued to go to school full-time and work every night. Even though the pain inside of me was written on my face, I pushed through the next two months. I began to have contractions in January and I knew that this was too early, so my Papa rushed me to the hospital, and the doctor gave me some medicine to stop my labor. I went home that night. The next morning around 5:00 AM the contractions came back. This time I knew he was coming.

Photo: Cameron Antonio Gray

Photo: Ketara, Baby's Father, and Baby Cameron "Little Family"

Cameron Antonio Gray was born at 32 weeks on January 27, 2011 at 1:25 PM and he was pronounced dead an hour later. He came out with his gray eyes opened wide and a little cry came out of his mouth. After Cameron died, I was crying and felt alone. Even though people that loved me surrounded me, I still felt isolated.

Photo: Ketara's Family
My time with him was so limited and so special that I knew I was blessed for the experience. The doctor asked if I wanted to bury Cameron in a special place and I told her just bury him with all the other babies.

Picture: Babyland Burial Grounds

Cameron was buried in Babyland, a burial place that the state has designated for babies. The state takes care of all of the expenses. I felt more comfortable allowing the state to take care of the burial arrangements... I didn't have the strength. I received countless condolence letters from friends and family members. A few days later the health department conducted an interview to discuss my son and informed me that he was now considered a number in the Memphis infant mortality rate. I realized that my son was now another number in the Memphis infant mortality rate.

Although, my son's death was uncontrollable, I learned that so many of those babied buried in Babyland had a fighting chance. According to statistics, an infant dies in Shelby County every 43 hours. My son was one of them. I'm from zip code 38111 (Orange Mound, TN) and I am proud of my community. I know this may come as a shock, but this zip code has the highest infant  mortality rate in the country. I have great friends and family members that were raised in this community, and I believe in this community. I know that this zip cose has an unwritten talent and has undiscovered leaders, and now is the time to inspire others and take your position as a trailblazer.

After Cameron's death, I cried almost every night, but I was determined to inspire others through my loss. I remembered seeing posters up at FedEx about the March of Dimes. I appreciated the fact that they honered babies every year in their March for Babies walk. I had always heard about employees attending this walk and my mother always encouraged me to go even before Cameron's death. So, I knew that this was the year I would walk for Cameron.

Last year in my Public Relations class, I was assigned to work on the March of Dimes campaign and I felt so privilaged. It felt good knowing that the same organization that supports mother's like me now could use my support.

... I'm here to advocate for my son. I saw him fight for his life and die fighting. I here to encourage you to fight for our babies. Fight for those who do not have the strength to fight. On April 28, we will walk. Memphis will walk for our babies.

I have volunteeered my time and the community need you to volunteer your time and change these numbers. They say that experience is the best teacher; well I've shared my experience, so please let my experience be the teacher. ... I grew up in a single mother household with 5 siblings. I have seen the power of education and discipline. I have overcome every obstacle thrown my way. I know the pain you suffer and the fears you have, but I also know that we are stronger than our struggle and we can reduce these numbers by taking advantage of programs offered by the March of Dimes.

Losing my child affected not only me but also my family and friends. I'm trying to prevent you from experiencing this same hurt. I'm giving you my time so please lend me your ears. These are three things I'm asking of you:

1. Use protection at all times. If you fail to protect yourself, then you are planning on accepting the consquences that follow.

2. If you do become pregnant, take care of your health and try to have your baby no earlier than 39 weeks. Research shows that important organs aren't fully developed before 39 weeks. Also, eat healthy, avoid smoking, drinking or intense stress while you're pregnant.

3. Go to the doctor! Seek out and take advantage of all the free prenatal care than the community offers. If you have questions and you can't find the answer, research it and ask someone you trust.

Let's take advantage of the life we were given and let's make a change that makes headlines. "

A Prematurity Story "Kyle & Kraig Juelfs"

Michelle Hall is a beautiful mother from Memphis that unfortunately had to experience the birth of her twins prematurely. She has overcame a devestating time in her life and wants to inform people about how serious prematurity is. She is a supporter of the March of Dimes, and now she has the chance to share her story below:

"On November 4, 2004, I gave birth to identical twin boys at 25 weeks gestation--Kyle (weighing 1 lb 3 oz) was born sleeping, having been crushed when my water broke and Kraig was taken immediately to the NICU where he spent the next 11 weeks. Kraig, weighing just 1 pound 13 ounces overcame many obstacles and endured many procedures "common" for premature infants--daily blood tests, numerous x-rays, infections treated with IV antibiotics, central line IVs, blood transfusions, apnea/bradycardia spells, oxygen administration, and several resuscitation efforts.

He came home in January 2005 on oxygen, underwent laser eye surgery at 12 weeks of age (the week after he came home), continues to be monitored bi-annually by a pediatric ophthalmologist and annually by a retina specialist. He has also received physical, occupational, and speech therapy. However, he is now a happy, healthy 7 year old and very much looking forward to his baptism later this year!!! He wears glasses for nearsightedness, partly due to the ROP and partly due to genetics.

He talks (and acts) like a little man--he has his own way of thinking, which we call Kraigisms--and he LOVES watching Cupcake Wars (and then helping me bake cupcakes!) He attended special needs preschool for pervasive development disorder and made tremendous progress and will be entering the 2nd grade this year...so well that he tested out of special ed/resource services by the end of his kindergarten year. "

Photo:

Top Left: Kyle
Bottom Left: Kraig at birth
Bottom Right: Kraig current (April 2012)

Very cute babies. It is SO amazing to hear this success story about Kraig. Thank you Michelle Hall for sharing your story with us.

Please visit our website http://www.marchofdimes.com/tennessee/ for information about March of Dimes and to donate to help save babies like Kyle & Kraig.

March of Dimes Hosts Kangaroo Care-a-Thon in NICU

Care-A-Thon Raises Awareness for Kangaroo Care in NICU

The Regional Medical Center at Memphis (also known as "The Med") partnered up with the March of Dimes and hosted a 15-day "Kangaroo Care-a-thon". The purpose of this event was to raise awareness to  families the Center's employees about the benefits of "Kangaroo Care".

What is Kangaroo Care?

"Kangaroo Care" is the skin-to-skin contact between a parent and their child for a long period of time. This contact provides so many benefits for both parent and child, such as bonding and improved outcomes of the relationship.

When in the NICU,  new-born babies are attached to various equipment, wires, and monitors for survival. Although this is necessary for the health of the baby, it is important to remember that these babies need attachment and great bonding to their parent, too.

When was the Kangaroo-a-thon?

The event began May 15, 2012, the 1st Internation Kangaroo Care Awareness Day, and continued until May 30, 2012.  The goal was to enlist at least 15 families in Kangaroo Care during these dates.
A "Kangaroo Care Kit" was presented each time a family "kangarooed" for the first time. The "Kangaroo Care Kit" opportunity was from the courtsey of March of Dimes volunteers.
Also, each parent and their nurse were entered into a drawing to receive a special gift basket at the end of the Care-a-thon.

Picture: Karen Hill, March of Dimes NICU Family Support Specialist and Megan Pentecost, NICU nurse and winner of the special gift basket.

Congrats to all for championing "Kangaroo Care" and supporting the benefits of skin-to-skin contact and care for babies and their families!

For the full article click here-->The Med and March of Dimes Host "Care-a-thon"

Infant Mortality Rate-Memphis

Every year in the United States, more than half a million babies are born too soon, 11,512 of them right here in Tennessee.

With your help, we work to improve the health of babies and support families if something does go wrong. 


Memphis is plagued with the highest infant mortality rate in the NATION. More babies here do not survive their first year of life than other babies in THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES such as Cuba and Slovenia.

Visit www.marchofdimes.com/tennessee for information about our Chapter and to donate.