Sunflower Squad - In Loving Memory of Joslyn Reed

Team captains:

Joslyn's Story & Legacy

UPDATE - Upcoming Event Details for the 2025 Chicago March for Babies
Sunday, April 27th, 2025Ā 
400 West Montrose Harbor Drive, Chicago, IL 60640
Suggested Arrival: 8-8:30AM
Stage Program: 8:45AM
Walk Kick Off: 9:00AM

Driving & Parking:
• FREE PARKING will be available steps away from the event along Montrose Avenue and along North Simonds Drive. If you type "Grove 16 - Montrose Harbor" into your map application it will take you to the parking area.Ā 
Transit:
• If transit is convenient for you, Montrose Harbor is just a short walk away from the Wilson CTA Red/Purple Line stop. If you are taking the bus, the Montrose & Marine Drive (route 78) stop is walking distance away from the event site.
Drop-off/Taxi:
• If you take rideshare/taxi, you can be dropped off right at the site! Type ā€œMontrose Harbor – Grove 16ā€ into your rideshare app or the address: 400 West Montrose Harbor Drive, Chicago, IL 60640

__________________________________

On August 2, 2022, my good friends Ian and Joslyn Reed welcomed their daughter, Coen James "Coco" Reed, into the world five weeks early. Their joy was short-lived when Joslyn experienced complications that quickly became life-threatening. She suffered an amniotic fluid embolism, a rare and severe birth complication that triggered a cascade of medical crises. Doctors fought tirelessly to save her, performing multiple surgeries as they worked to stop her bleeding. Despite every effort, Joslyn tragically passed away on August 6, 2022, at the age of 38, leaving behind her husband Ian, their newborn daughter Coco, and big sister, Zoey.

As Ian and his family grieved the unimaginable loss of Joslyn, Coco began her own fight for survival. Born prematurely, she spent 18 days in the NICU at Lurie Children’s Hospital where she required specialized interventions for a pneumothorax, including a chest tube and intubation for mechanical ventilation. From the moment she was born, she was surrounded by a team of doctors and nurses who ensured she had the best possible start despite arriving earlier than expected.Ā 

Coco’s journey is a powerful reminder of how critical NICU care is for premature babies and why organizations like March of Dimes are vital in ensuring that every baby has a fighting chance. Now, Ian and his daughters, Coco and Zoey, are stepping forward as the 2025 Chicago March for Babies Ambassador Family. They are sharing their story to honor Joslyn’s legacy and to advocate for better maternal and infant health. Their journey is one of profound loss but also of resilience and hope—a reminder that every mother and baby deserves access to life-saving medical care and support. Through their advocacy, Ian and his daughters hope to raise awareness about the urgent need for improved maternal health care, ensuring that fewer families face the heartbreak they have endured and that more babies, like Coco, have the opportunity to thrive.

Join us :
2025 Chicago March for Babies - Sunday, April 27th, 2025Ā 
400 West Montrose Harbor Drive, Chicago, IL 60640

Share the "Team Sunflower Squad" page to help us reach our donation goal!
https://marchforbabies.org/team/SunflowerSquad

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Team roster

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Name Amount raised
1
Raised: $6,480
2
Raised: $1,011
3
Raised: $1,007
4
Raised: $510
5
Raised: $251
6
Raised: $203
7
Raised: $191
8
Raised: $150
9
Raised: $124
10
Raised: $103
11
Raised: $100
12
Raised: $100
13
Raised: $100
14
Raised: $60
15
Raised: $52
16
Raised: $52
17
Raised: $52
18
Raised: $26
19
Raised: $0
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Raised: $0
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Raised: $0
22
Raised: $0
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Raised: $0
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Raised: $0
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Raised: $0
26
Raised: $0
View Entire Team
The total amount displayed reflects the amount on the team or personal fundraising progress bar. If the progress bar is not displayed on the team or personal page, the team/person won't be displayed on the leaderboard. Leaderboard totals reflect cash and checks marked "received" on the online sponsor form as well as credit card and PayPal donations. Team captains can enter as cash and mark "received" any money raised through promotions, such as bake sales and casual days and any sponsorship money paid to the March of Dimes, on their team's online form. Record all donations on your online sponsor form before you turn in cash and checks to the March of Dimes!

WE NEED TO UNITE, CONNECT AND FIGHT FOR FAMILIES

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!


$25,488
Fundraising goal: $25,000
Sunday, April 27, 2025
54 Donors | 3778 Visitors

Team achievements

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Fundraising Activity

Recent donation and sponsor messages.
R
Robert donated $60.00
5 days ago
"??????????"
E
Ellie donated $103.00
6 days ago
"Donating and growing sunflowers to honor Joslyn, Ian, Zoey, and Coen ??- Mia"
G
Gwen donated $103.00
6 days ago
"Thinking of Joslyn always. Sending hugs to you and the girls ??"
B
Boka donated $335.78
6 days ago
A
Aaron donated $50.00
6 days ago
"Love you, Jos"
S
Sean donated $61.80
6 days ago
J
Johnathon donated $515.00
7 days ago
"????"
V
Vicki donated $50.00
8 days ago
J
Jeimmy donated $50.00
8 days ago
G
Gary donated $51.50
8 days ago
M
Michael donated $51.50
10 days ago
A
Agnes donated $20.60
14 days ago
J
Jana donated $103.00
17 days ago
C
Catherine donated $30.90
21 days ago
S
Shikaya donated $61.80
29 days ago
S
Sanda donated $103.00
29 days ago
"????"
$10000.00 was donated by Anonymous
25 days ago
M
Margaux donated $10.00
2 months ago
T
Teri donated $100.00
2 months ago
"May the sun shine bright on you so your flowers will bloom and grow."
P
Patrick donated $61.80
2 months ago
B
Brandon donated $51.50
2 months ago
L
Laurie donated $61.80
2 months ago
M
Melanie donated $51.50
2 months ago
L
Lindsay donated $25.75
2 months ago
E
Edward donated $51.50
2 months ago
S
Sandy donated $25.75
2 months ago
K
Krist donated $30.90
2 months ago
H
Hannah donated $515.00
2 months ago
P
Paige donated $100.00
2 months ago
S
Sue donated $30.90
2 months ago
S
Suann donated $103.00
2 months ago
?
??? donated $103.00
2 months ago
j
jessica donated $100.00
2 months ago
F
Faith donated $51.50
2 months ago
"We miss you Joslyn and see you in the beautiful things this world gives us, like sunflowers, your beautiful daughters, and the love of your husband and friends!"
H
Hana donated $103.00
2 months ago
"Sunflower squad for life ??"
M
Muhamed donated $515.00
2 months ago
C
Claudia donated $51.50
2 months ago
"Sending my love ??"
S
Sara donated $30.00
2 months ago
E
Emma donated $51.50
2 months ago
S
Sarah donated $20.60
2 months ago
M
Matthew donated $53.00
2 months ago
S
Suse donated $60.00
2 months ago
C
C donated $77.25
2 months ago
M
Molly donated $30.90
2 months ago
J
Jen donated $103.00
2 months ago
E
Emilia donated $20.60
2 months ago
E
Emily donated $30.00
2 months ago
C
Christina donated $30.00
2 months ago
r
rachel donated $25.75
2 months ago
L
Laura donated $103.00
2 months ago
"Walk in love…??"
S
Samantha donated $30.90
2 months ago
$30.00 was donated by Anonymous
2 months ago
J
Jasmine donated $103.00
2 months ago
D
Dacia donated $30.90
2 months ago
B
Brittany donated $50.00
2 months ago
C
Cindy donated $92.70
2 months ago
"Thinking of you all as you walk for Joslyn!??"

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Thank you to our local sponsors

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