I received an email from a close friend, I would like to share it with you. I myself support the March of Dimes for premature births, I myself have a grandddaughter who was a premie who has several problems today. Please if you can't give to your local March of Dimes, your prayers for the little children are so welcome.
I have a 2 yr old granddaughter, a premie, she was born with no immune system, she gets ill very fast, she was also born with no stomache lining. She has IGG/IGA deficiancies..( It affects her stomache n lungs ) She is highly allergic to milk or any type of milk product, it could make her bleed to death internally. McKenna is our ANGEL, a blessing from God. Our baby has never ever had a M & M. Anyways, I would like to share my email with you. I have known these ppl for many many years. (30+) I know what they went through losing those babies.. All I ask, Pray for these children and their families, if you can not give. But please read this email from my friend.. It is very important ppl realize the sorrows premature birth can have on a family.
Walk America is right around the corner! April 29th 2007
>
> I decided not to send the usual stats - making us aware of how many
> children die because of premature birth. Instead I want to give you an
> update on our family and how premature birth has affected us and still does
> to this day.
>
> Most do not know that my mom gave birth to a baby girl "Tanya" in 1975
> weighing 1lb 10oz - Tanya lived for two days. My parents never talked about
> this to us and we never really understood why until my sister Becky followed
> in her footsteps giving birth to her first boy Johnathon on Jan 15th 2002,
> he was born 25 weeks premature - weighing 1lb 13oz. The journey was
> emotionally hard for everyone and physically hard for that beautiful little
> boy that fought everyday to get stronger and healthier. We struggled with
> the whys and were amazed at the medical advancements in the past 27 years.
> They could not save Tanya in 1975 but they had every intention of sending
> Johnathon home with this family.
>
> Unfortunately this would not be the end to our premature fight; on Jan 15th
> 2005 (yes 3 years to the date) Becky gave birth to twins at 26 weeks. Gordon
> Michael weighed 1lb 5oz & his twin sister Mary Jo weighed 1lb 8oz. We felt
> prepared this time - we knew the routines; the ins and outs of the hospital
> and knew we were going to take those beautiful babies home in a couple
> months.
>
> WE WERE WRONG the twins both had so much more go wrong for them; their
> little bodies under went heart surgery, collapsed lungs, blood transfusions
> & infections. They fought everyday to live and the roller coaster of
> emotions for everyone was exhausting. Gordon fought with us for 73 days in
> the NICU but on March 28th 2005 it was time to say goodbye to our little
> angel and he joined God and so many others welcoming him to heaven. I know
> the pain I felt for my nephew and his parents - I do not pretend to know how
> my sister; my mother or so many other mothers felt losing these precious
> lives that grew inside them and they gave birth to.
>
> Mary Jo did come home after 102 days in NICU weighing 5lb 2oz - SHE WAS
> MIRACLE! For Johnathon and Mary the battle is not over; they are now 5 & 2;
> they battle lung problems, illnesses affect them hard and growth is slower
> than others their age but with each day they grow stronger and closer to a
> somewhat normal childhood. Johnathon is in preschool and such a smart little
> guy - Mary Jo well she is proving to be one tough cookie. She loves to pick
> on her older siblings and climb all over things - which means yes she falls
> and yes she gets bruises but she gets right back up and does it again.
>
> We are coming up on the 2 year mark of losing Gordon and 28 years since
> Tanya's death. Remembering them reminds us to cherish the time we do have
> with our children, our parents, our spouses, our friends and all our family.
>
>
> THESE 4 children and so many like them are why we wanted and needed to join
> Walk America. Children born premature endure so much medically; more than
> most of us will in a lifetime and helping The March of Dimes with education
> and research into WHY premature birth happens is a goal we are proud to be a
> part of. If Gordon's Gang can help just one family from having to endure the
> loss of their child; it makes all our efforts worth while.
>
> Please join in and help fight premature births - in 2005 "Gordon's Gang"
> raised $1,260 and we were awarded the Bronze Plaque for our fundraising
> efforts. In 2006 "Gordon's Gang" raised $3,804 the silver plaque and the
> title of top "Family Team" at the St.Paul walk site. Give this year in honor
> of these 4 children, in honor of the many others out there or in honor of
> someone you have lost.
> If you can not give money this year - your prayers are just as good. Please
> say a prayer for our success and healing.
>
> Visit my webpage at - www.walkamerica.org/wangers to view a current
> picture of "Gordons Gang", hear our story and sponsor us in the Walk that
> saves babies!
>
> If you do not wish to donate on line -you can send a check made out to the
> "March of Dimes" to me -
> 660 1st Ave NW / New Brighton / MN / 55112
>
> Thank you and best wishes to you and yours!
>
> Tara & Family
>
> P.S please pass this on to anyone you think would be interested..
Please copy n paste the web site and take a look!
And I do thank the March of Dimes and Minneapolis Childrens Hospital for taking such good care of our angel..
