March of Dimes

In October of 2004 Olivia was chosen as the MOD Ambassador baby for the area we were living in at the time. I gave the speech at a fund raising dinner, we were on the radio and in the newspaper. It was definitely a fun thing to do. I found this speech as I was going through some old emails. I think it is apart of Olivia and my legacy.

March of Dimes Speech 2004 Gourmet Gala

I would like to welcome you all tonight and hope you enjoy the wonderful food and great gift baskets. She weighed just less than 2 full soda cans and was smaller than this teddy bear.

The March of Dimes has been an integral but silent partner in Olivia’s progress. The research that they do has made it possible for Olivia to breathe without the assistance of oxygen. She received steroids and surfactant for her lungs. She also received photo therapy lights for jaundice. The equipment that the MOD has helped develop was another important part of her survival.

Tonight I am happy to report that Olivia is doing great. When people say oh what a tiny baby, I am almost positive she takes that as a challenge. She is on her way to being mobile, scooting in a circle and she has an amazing love of life, which you can tell by her hearty giggles. She has defied so many odds: shes gotten past the most severe brain bleed without development or muscle problems. The future still holds a wait and see attitude but my husband and I are so very thankful and so very in love with her.

Where will your money go tonight: some examples of how the MOD is helping pregnant women and NICU families are as follows.

$240 will help buy educational videos and brochures for low income pregnant women living in rural areas.

$460 goes for materials to help 150 pregnant women stop smoking

$1000 provides 100 families with a kit that helps older children cope with having a baby brother or sister in the NICU

The cost of running a ventilator for one day is $500 not to mention the staff running it. Olivia’s first month in the hospital would have cost us $75,000 without insurance. Please know that your contributions here tonight do make a difference to those families hanging on for dear life. We chose to be the ambassador family for 1 reason alone, not to brag on our beautiful miracle but to give another mom a chance to brag on hers.

Thank for your time tonight. The bookmarks on your bidder paddle were designed by my mother Judy. Our family would like you to take them as a memento of the March of Dimes and God’s amazing grace.