The Discovery Center will play host to the annual March of Dimes Rutherford County Kick Off to be held on Tuesday, Feb. 2. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. and the program starts at 5:45 p.m.
The kickoff provides attendees with the opportunity to learn more about the March of Dimes’ mission and its annual fundraising event, the Rutherford County March for Babies locally presented by Middle Tennessee Medical Center. The program will feature several keynote speakers including Gordon Ferguson, CEO of Middle Tennessee Medical Center, the McKee family, 2010 Ambassadors for Rutherford County, and the Hoffman family, the 2010 National Ambassadors for the March of Dimes.
This marks the first time a National Ambassador has ever attended a Rutherford County event. This year’s National Ambassador is Joshua Hoffman from Weston, Fla. Joshua and his family will be sharing his personal story and their strong commitment to the March of Dimes.
The March of Dimes Kick Off is open to the general public. A light dinner will be provided along with beverages and cocktails. Children are welcome to attend and use the Discovery Center facilities.
For more information or to RSVP, contact Leigh Tenewitz at ltenewitz@marchofdimes.com or 399-3200.
About the March of Dimes
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.
The McKee family is serving as Rutherford County’s 2010 March for Babies Ambassador Family to help raise awareness about the lifesaving research and support of the March of Dimes. This is their story:
There isn’t anything that can prepare a family for the event of a premature birth.
The best doctors and specialists in the nation use incredible treatments and practices provided mostly by the research and breakthroughs from The March of Dimes.
Even with these amazing treatments, there are still unexplainable and untreatable variants that are endangering these sweet spirits.
Both of our children are testaments to this. Our first child Nate was born Febr. 9, 2007, at 32 weeks. Before his arrival, Traci was diagnosed with Preeclampsia. The doctors had no clue what caused the problem and were eventually forced to deliver Nate early.
Our second child, Abby Faith was born June 21, 2008 at 30 weeks. Up to 28 weeks Traci was doing fine and it appeared that this was going to be a full-term baby. For some reason still unknown to Traci’s doctors, she became violently ill and no medication would ease the symptoms.
As the illness progressed, doctors noticed that Traci’s esophagus was beginning to tear and they deemed it urgent to deliver Abby.
While we were lucky with Nate, who was born at 5 pounds 7 ounces, Abby showed up at 2 pounds, 10.25 ounces, and her saving grace was a steroid cocktail that helped her progression.
But with both children there was still one main issue. The issue that drives this amazing cause and that is the unknown.
What is the cause of premature births?
How do we prevent them, and in the event one happens how do we best treat the child to help them live long happy healthy lives?
How do we keep any other mother from having to drive an hour and a half one way just so they can look at their baby in a plastic incubator praying everyday for just a few ounces of weight? Or just a little less need for the oxygen?
My family’s story is just one of thousands. We are grateful that there are people willing to hear it and we hope that in some way it will spark at least one person into action. And maybe that person will spark another and another.
A fire starts with just a spark and can grow to be one of the most powerful forces of nature. It has the ability to dramatically change anything that is touches. Let these children be our spark and let our actions be our fire. Let us change the landscape of premature births.
Thank you for your time and God bless.
- Tim, Traci, Nate and Abby McKee |
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