Help Me Fundraise for March of Dimes

If you're in Fresno this weekend, come join me for the March of Dimes walk this weekend. The walk is held at Woodward Park on Saturday, April 14th, 2012. Come out and show your support for families and babies. This is an amazing foundation that raises money to fund research and programs in the community to help mothers have healthy, full-term pregnancies. But every day, thousands of babies are born premature and often very sick. The proceeds is used to care for babies in newborn intensive care. How amazing is that?

This is going to be my first year participating in the March of Dimes. In the past, I have volunteered with the 5K Bruin Run/Walk that benefits the Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA. This year is a bit different though and supporting this worthy cause seeps closer to my heart in so many ways. As a first time mother, I understand the pain and endless worries moms have for their baby. Even when I was pregnant, I remember praying that my baby wouldn't come too soon and that God would bless me with a healthy baby.  As a mother, you do everything possible to achieve that. However, as much as you try to prevent what you can, fate takes its course and many mothers have to undergo a preterm birth. You have all this fear of the risk associated with premature babies like chronic health programs they may have and mortality rate going through your mind. It's scary to even think about that. But you do because you care for so much for this child inside of you. You just hope for a miracle.

Photo credits/photographer: Michael Clancy

Every time I think about miracle babies, I first think of my daughter, Eden. She is my miracle baby because of everything I've been through with my pregnancy. From finding out I was pregnant at week 27, I am so blessed by God to have such a healthy baby with no complications. Secondly, I always think about Baby Samuel who's picture has circulated all over Facebook a few months back. The picture is called, "Hand of Hope" and it's a virtual image showing the hand of a 21-week old fetus (Baby Samuel) grasping the fingers of a surgeon performing the prenatal operation. The image was taken in 1999 and I consider it to be the one of the best pictures ever taken to date. Baby Samuel was diagnosed with spina bifida and would not have survived unless he was taken out of the mother's womb. He is now 12 years old. He's a healthy boy and a survivor. When you look at this picture, how can you not get overwhelmed with joy at the amazement of life? It's truly incredible!

Please support March of Dimes by sponsoring me in this walk. I have provided a link to my sponsor page below. Whether your donation be $1, your lunch money,  or that roll of pennies lying on your bed stand, I greatly appreciate it! I know the economy isn't that great but my goal is to raise $50 for March of Dimes meaning that if I get 50 of my friends to donate $1, I will achieve my goal! Every bit helps to building a better future for our world. So do it for the BABIES!!!

Sponsor page: http://www.marchforbabies.org/hollyvu05

March of Dimes Walk

April 14, 2012
Woodward Park
7775 Friant Road
Fresno, CA 93710

Walk Distance: 3 miles
Registration Time: 8:00AM
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Chapter: Central Valley Division