Arizona

Saritha,

Go to www.walkamerica.org and you can register there. First you'll need to decide if you'd like to sign up as a family Team (that means your spouse, kids, parents, in-laws, friends, neighbors,etc as a group) or if you will be an Individual.

The second page will allow you to choose to
Join a team
Start a new team
Sign up as an Individual

From there, just follow the prompts and when you choose your local area, it will give you the location, time and distance. it will also set up your very own webpage which can take donations for your team or your efforts.

To find your local division office information:
go to www.marchofdimes.com
either enter your zip code
or search for chapters by state

Good luck on your Walk America efforts. It really is a special day.

Hope the helps,
Darcy

Hi there,
In March of this year my husband and I lost our first daughter, Amelia, when I was 19 weeks pregnant. We were crushed. All of the hopes and dreams we had for her were suddenly gone.

We decided to create a Family Team for the March for Babies which was held on April 18. This was one of the best decisions we made. We felt like we were able to do something for other babies in memory of our own precious angel.

I was also asked to join the Family Teams Committee for March of Dimes. I have met some amazing mom's in the group, each has a story that makes the mission of the March of Dimes more personal.

We are working on a lot of great things for the next year and we would love your help! July 18 the Phoenix Mercury is hosting March of Dimes Day; the awards ceremony for the Family Teams will be held at the game. We are also planning "Picnic in the Park" in November.

If you are interested in joining the AZ Family Teams committee or in creating your own Family Team, please contact me! We would love to get to know you and hear your story.

Please also look for us on Facebook (MOD Families Arizona)!

I look forward to hearing from you!

Michele

Hi Michele-

You and I lost our babies just days apart back in March of 2009. I hadn't met you at the time, but I think I remember seeing you and your husband hug and share a moment near the Family Teams Tent. I am just now rereading some of your blog posts. You should update with pics:) I'm glad to work alongside you in the FTC. I hope that you are doing well and look forward to another year of MOD fundraising!

Yes indeed, if anyone is interested in joining the FTC, we'd LOVE to have you. Meetings are held monthly at the Phx MOD office.

Lindsay

Hi AZ-

I am a mom to three preemie boys: 32 weeker (2005), 34 weeker (2007), and a 30 weeker (2009). My 30 weeker was born sleeping in the early morning hours of March 6, 2009. He weighed 3 lbs. 6 oz. and was 16 inches.

I was high-risk and knew the symptoms of preeclampsia all too well. I was seeing the same OB for all three pregnancies until the first week of Jan. in 2009. I was about 21 weeks along, going in for a routine appointment, and picking up my signed bedrest letter to give to my employer. I was hit with the most unfortunate and unexpected news I could receive. Due to the economy, and the fact that my OB hadn't invested, he was being let go from the practice! I was looking forward to delivering at a particular hospital and there was only one person at the time who had rights to deliver there. I asked if this person was good and was told yes. I think the opinion was skewed based on the goings on in the practice. Who knows?! Come to find out later, not so much experience with high risk and was in over her head:(

I had an unwanted transfer of care. I had two, yes, two prenatal appointments with my new OB in February. At my second appointment, I was 28 weeks along and I mention very seriously the swelling that was going on. No concern whatsoever. No looking at my chart to see the Dec. recommendation from the peri stating that "if your patient has not yet had a 24-hour protein screening," she should have one. This is STANDARD procedure folks! Didn't even have me come in the following week just to be sure. Nothing. I should've gone to the hospital then, but I didn't. For whatever reason, my next appointment was scheduled more than 2 weeks out. I never made it.

Two weeks later and 4 days shy of my next appointment, I call my OB to tell her my concerns of severe swelling and pain down below. She can't remember anything about me. Couldn't recall whether or not I was working, what I did for a living, anything! She tells me "it's still too early, drink plenty of fluids, rest, put my feet up, get help with the kids during the day, and to do some hydroptherapy if I belonged to a gym." About 6 hours later, I call her back and tell her that I'm going to the hospital and that something is very wrong. I wanted to urinate, but couldn't and I was shaking uncontrollably. I drove myself to the hospital nearly before midnight. My water starts to break on the freeway and I'm doing my kegels to keep it all in. As soon as I park and get to the sidewalk approaching maternity check in, my water breaks and I brace myself. A good samaritan runs to get me a wheelchair and takes me where I need to go. I'm talking incessantly to the nurses at the wait station about my medical history, my current gestation, what just happened, my OB's name (the good one and the new bad one). Stripped off my clothes and there's blood everywhere (wore black pants that night so didn't know the sight until it was before my eyes). Within minutes, a fetal heart monitor was brought in. No heartbeat. Completely devastated. I had a placental abruption coupled with a blood clot. I also had severe and undiagnosed preeclampisa!!!

It's just heartbreaking to go through something like this:( This Share site has been my saving grace these past 2 1/2 years. I miss my little boy terribly. I want very much to have a rainbow baby and "complete" my family, but it's a long journey and we're treading slowly. I am still very angry about our loss and getting those feelings out sure has helped.

If anyone ever needs to share, vent, or BOTH, I'm here to listen. I encourage you to post YOUR STORY, start a blog, and stay in touch. I've met so many wonderful people through this site and it's been helping me find my way as I journey through my "new normal."

One day at a time,

Lindsay

P.S. I happened upon Lanee's Legacy (www.laneeslegacy.org). This story was featured on Channel 12 news a few months ago. Her AZ organization makes memory boxes to be given to other parents experiencing infant loss.