March of Dimes: I Walk In Memory Of My Son

Support the 2012 March for Babies Campaign

www.marchforbabies.org/DanielWadeFinn
On April 22, 2008, amidst all the fundraising events going on in support of the March of Dimes at CIGNA, I left work to go to my obstetrician to be checked for decreased fetal movement. I found out later that day my baby had died. On April 23, 2008 I gave birth to a perfectly beautiful, but silent, little boy whose heart had stopped beating while he was in my belly. He was 32 weeks – an age that many babies, thanks to the March of Dimes, are born and thrive. What should have been a very joyous time in my life was the most heartbreaking.

The painful burden of silence weighs heavy in the hearts of parents who have a stillborn child. It′s not just the haunting silence that fills the room immediately following delivery of that baby - it′s the silence that follows in the days, weeks, months and years afterwards. Parents find it difficult to speak about their child, friends and family fear mentioning the baby to avoid upsetting the parents and others don′t even know that the baby ever even existed. I march in memory of my son, to help raise stillbirth awareness and to hopefully help prevent others from having to suffer from the same painful and life-changing experience of losing a baby.

It can be difficult to support a cause that you aren′t directly tied to – sympathy might spark our curiosity but, unfortunately, it is empathy that makes us take action. Don′t get to the point of empathy……don′t get to the point where it takes the loss of a friend′s child or even your own to help support a cause that has done so much for so many – not just babies but entire families, close friends and anyone involved in the lives of those who are impacted by birth defects, premature birth and/or infant mortality.

This will be my third consecutive year fundraising for the March of Dimes. Last year, with the help of many friends and family, over $1500 was raised in honor of my son Daniel and in support of the March of Dimes′ mission to improve the health of babies. My goal this year is to raise at least $1423. AS AN ADDED INCENTIVE, FOR THOSE WHO TRULY LOVE TO TORTURE ME, ON THE DAY OF THE MOD "WALK" I WILL RUN 1 MILE FOR EVERY $100 I RAISE! If I meet my goal that will be a solid 14 miles!

Please support the March of Dimes by either signing up to walk or by making a secure donation by clicking on the 'donate now' button on this page.
Thank you for helping to remember my son Daniel and helping to give all babies a healthy start!

The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.