March for Babies

On Sunday, April 27th, Team Love Jonez walked in our 3rd March for Babies.  Thanks to the generosity of friends and family we raised just over $900 in our quest to ensure that all babies are born healthy.  We're still waiting to find out where we placed in terms of team donations; last year we were 4th so we shall see.

March for Babies

It’s that time of year again; the Jones Family will be walking in our 3^rd March for Babies on Sunday, April 27^th.  As the parents of two preemies, Justin, our 24 week miracle and Nathan, our 35 week wonder, this is something that is obviously near and dear to our hearts.  Before having the boys, we simply thought of a preemie as a small baby, not realizing all the difficulties that preemies, let alone micro preemies like Justin, may face.  Little did we know we’d be catapulted into preemie land: oxygen, ROP, reflux, developmental assessments, physical & occupational therapy and the list goes on and on.  Just recently Justin was diagnosed with a cognitive impairment and will spend his kindergarten year in a special education program.  Whether or not that can be attributed to his prematurity we’ll never know.  But I’m reaching out to you guys because you’ve been with us from the beginning and know firsthand what we’ve dealt with the last 5 ½ years.  So if it fits into your charitable giving this year, please consider donating to Team Love Jonez in our quest to ensure that all babies are born healthy.  

You can make a donation on my personal page by clicking HERE.

March for Babies 2013

On April 29th we walked in our second annual March for Babies, even though the weather was crappy.  Team Love Jonez raised $820 and was #4 in money raised for family teams at our walk site.  Next year I'm raising my goal to $1,000. 

March for Babies

Carl and I know all too well the challenges associated with prematurity. That’s why we have formed a Family Team, Team LoveJonez, to raise money and participate in March for Babies to support the March of Dimes mission to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. By raising money, ongoing research to answer the critical questions of why premature birth happens and what can be done to prevent it is funded. When you support Team LoveJonez, you show you care and you give hope for defeating premature birth and other threats to babies.

Carl and I, along with the boys,will be walking in our 2nd March For Babies on Sunday, April 28th at Wayne State University.  Like last year, we're walking not only in honor of our two miracle preemies but also in memory of TBA.  We would love if our family and friends joined us.  If you would like to join our team or make a donation, please visit our team page at Team LoveJonez.

Our 24 week miracle! 

Our 35 week wonder!

March for Babies 2012

Yesterday we walked in our first March for Babies. We had great weather, a great turnout from family (my sisters, dad, step-mom and in-laws) and Team Love Jonez raised over $800 for stronger healthier babies. Donations will be accepted until May 31st for anyone who still wants to donate to our team and give all babies the chance at a healthy start. We will definitely be doing the walk next year and for many more years to come.

March For Babies

After almost 4 years Carl and I, along with the boys,will be walking in our first March For Babies on Sunday, April 29th at Wayne State University. While we've donated to the March of Dimes every year since Justin's birth we've never been that proactive in spreading the word about the March of Dimes. I thought about participating in the walk the year after Justin was born, but after talking to a few family members who didn't show much interest in walking with me I let it go. Right or wrong, I felt like I didn't have their support and I let that deter me.  Or perhaps I let it go because I was in survival mode dealing with countless therapy sessions, Dr's appointments, surgeries, reflux, eating issues, weight gain, etc. But regardless of the reason, this year is different.

A friend of both Carl and I delivered her daughter at 27 weeks. Her Dr's were concerned she would deliver early so she reached out to me during her pregnancy seeking advice on what to expect, how to deal with the NICU roller coaster and just having a preemie in general. 

Last month a friend lost her child due to pregnancy complications. When I got the email I cried and stared at the screen for what seemed like hours; I had to have Carl explain to me what I was reading. I mean, I knew what I had just read but my heart wouldn't let me fully comprehend it.

And just recently, I learned that another friend is at risk of her loosing her baby due to pregnancy complications. 

So this year we're walking not only in honor of our two miracle preemies but also in memory of TBA. I would love if our family and friends joined us but if not, this year I'm doing this because it's something I have to do for me.  If you would like to join our team or make a donation, please visit our team page at http://www.marchforbabies.org/team/t1856403