On May 1, 2020 Colby Joseph Basil was born via emergency c-section. He was just 26 weeks and 4 days gestational age. While I was still unconscious, Miles was told to prepare his goodbyes. At 1 lbs 10 oz, Colby's life on Earth was not a sure thing, but, he was determined and committed to fight. And fight he did. On July 17, 2020 after a tenuous 77 day stay at the St Thomas NICU in Nashville, TN, Colby Joe came home. Over the last five years Colby has spent many days admitted to the hospital, he’s had more procedures and surgeries than most adults, countless doctor’s appointments and therapies; weekly. You ‘d never know by looking or speaking to him how frequently he struggles to breathe or that his airways, trachea esophagus and lungs aren’t like yours. Every day for the last five years has been hard because of what happened to me on May 1, 2020, that in turn forced him earth side far too soon.
On September 26, 2022, in the same operating room as his brother, Luke Melvin Basil, was born via an emergency c-section at 36 weeks and 4 days. My uterus fully ruptured, a medical disaster no baby at St Thomas Hospital (the largest birthing facility in Nashville) had ever survived. Due to a myriad of serendipitous happenstances, our second miracle baby survived. Luke is the jolliest little meatball of a toddler.
Often, prematurity comes with life-long consequences for both the mother and child. We see this in our own family. Miles and I strive to prevent prematurity from happening to others, while providing support for those going through similar circumstances. That’s why we are passionate about raising funds for March of Dimes; an incredible organization that leads the way for global programming and research to help mothers and babies. Their fight against prematurity is our fight against prematurity.
I march for Simon (Colby and Luke's cousin and fellow 26 weeker), Colby, Luke and to help all moms and families experience the joy of a healthy baby. With nearly 4 million babies born each year, we have a lot of work to do to help them all. The funds I raise enable March of Dimes to support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy that truly makes a difference to families in our community and across the country. If you believe, like I do, that every baby deserves the best possible start, please march with me or make a donation to support this community effort. Together we can fight for the health of all moms and babies.
With preterm birth rates continuing to rise, the U.S. remains among the most dangerous developed nations for childbirth, especially for women and babies of color.
At March for Babies™ you're lifting up communities, creating connections and taking action to make America a more equitable place and ensure that every mom and baby is healthy.
Together, we’re marching to raise funds and awareness to transform the health of all families!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
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