March of Dimes and a t-shirt design contest

I have always heard of the March of Dimes.  I even walked in a March for Babies event almost 10 years ago with Beth "just for the fun of it" and not really thinking twice about the fact that what the MOD stands for could affect me and my family.  But it has.  And as always, I like to support things that mean a lot to me.  So I am planning to walk again this year in the March for Babies event on May 7, 2011 in Morehead City. 

I have created a team for Claire called "Team Claire Rose" (go figure!  I tried Team Claire but that was already taken).  Right now I am the only team member, but I am hoping that a few of you will want to join me! 

You can either donate to our team or join our team by going to the following web pages:

http://www.marchforbabies.org/team/t1546466

http://www.marchforbabies.org/clairescott

As I read on the MOD website, they raise money to help fund research for preventing premature births and birth defects.  Both of these things are issues that we have dealt with this past year and are still dealing with.  It is so important for doctors to be able to do research on premature births and birth defects and preventing them to help save lives.  I have no idea how much money has been used to help make NICUs better places, enable the NICU to have better equipment, allowing doctors to know how to best treat preemies and/or babies with birth defects like Claire's. 

This is what their website says about how the money raised helps with birth defects and premature births:

Preventing and treating birth defects

Each year in the United States, more than 120,000 babies are born with a birth defect. They are the leading cause of infant deaths. There are thousands of different birth defects, affecting the structure or function of every part of the human body. The March of Dimes provides grants to researchers, with the goal of understanding the causes of birth defects and developing new ways to prevent and treat them. Currently, about 70 percent of the causes of birth defects are unknown.

The processes of development

Some March of Dimes grantees are studying basic biological processes of development. This important research should improve our understanding of how genes and other factors direct the transformation from a single cell into a complete being. A more advanced look at the process of development will help reveal what can go wrong along the way. Others are conducting clinical studies aimed at finding ways to prevent or treat specific birth defects.

Genetic causes

Genetics has long been a main theme of March of Dimes research. Grantees have discovered genes that cause or contribute to a number of common birth defects, including fragile X syndrome, cleft lip and palate, and heart defects. These discoveries pave the way for treatments and preventions for these birth defects.

 

Preventing premature birth and its consequences

Premature birth is a complex problem with no single solution. More than half a million babies are born prematurely each year in the United States. In up to 40 percent of cases, the cause is unknown. March of Dimes researchers are seeking the causes of prematurity as a step toward developing effective ways to prevent it.

Prematurity research initiative

In 2005, the March of Dimes began the Prematurity Research Initiative (PRI), which funds innovative research into the causes of prematurity. More than $15 million has been awarded to 43 grantees over the past 6 years. Some PRI grantees are exploring how genetics or a combination of genetic and environmental factors may influence a woman’s chances of going into labor prematurely. Others are examining how infections may trigger early labor. One of every three premature births can be attributed an infection in a woman’s uterus, which may have presented with no symptoms.

Treating preterm labor

PRI grantees also are exploring new ways to treat preterm labor. Some are studying how the body normally suppresses uterine contractions until a baby reaches full term, so that new drugs can be developed to prevent or stop preterm labor.

Saving preemies’ lives

In addition to PRI support, the March of Dimes funds prematurity research through its national research program. Grantees are improving the care of premature babies by developing new ways to help prevent or treat common complications of prematurity. For example, researchers helped develop surfactant treatment, which has saved tens of thousands of premature babies with breathing problems.

So please join Team Claire Rose and at the same time help babies like Claire!!!

And as an added bonus, there is a contest involved!  I am calling all of you talented (or non-talented) people out there to help us design a t-shirt for our team!!!  As a Meredith College graduate, you fellow Angels out there know we have to have a t-shirt made for everything!  It can be anything you want that would help people learn about Claire's experience or just something that represents Claire.  Adults, children, classrooms, friends, etc. can participate!  We want the shirts to be something special.  So if you are interested, please send your design to rebeccascott333@yahoo.com no later than April 18th (this will give us time to get the shirts made).  We will then choose a winner from all of the designs and have our t-shirts made for our team.  We will post the winning design on our blog too and the winner will get a t-shirt!


(Let us know if you join our team and your t-shirt size.)


If you have any questions, just let us know!  We are so excited about participating in this walk!!!

Love,
The Scott Family