OT - Need a little help...

So I know I don't really know all of you, but I thought I'd share a little story and hope you might give me a hand. 

My twin daughters, Ryleigh and Hannah, were born 9 weeks premature in October 2006.  As a result, they spent each spent about a month in the hospital. Both weighed a little more than 3 and a half pounds. Both were transferred to Lehigh Valley Hospital from St. Luke's Allentown's NICU for an upgrade in care at one point during their stay. Through this ordeal, my wife and I have come to realize and greater appreciate the efforts of the March of Dimes and would like to help support them.   At that time, I didn't even know what the March of Dimes was.  The day Erin was discharged from the hospital, we came in to say goodbye to the girls and we saw these little teddy bears.  We asked the nurses who brought them and they told us that they came from the March of Dimes.  We were to take them home, since we couldn't take our little girls home yet. 

We've formed our March for Babies team to raise money to help all babies be born healthy.  It is through the hardwork and research of the March of Dimes that a potentially deadly disease called Necrotizing Enterocolitis was discovered early in Ryleigh and treated without the need for invasive surgery.  It is through the hardwork and research of the March of Dimes that the girls were given surfactant therapy to help their premature lungs. 

The money we raise helps fund research to find out why premature birth happens and what can be done to prevent it. Premature birth is the #1 cause of newborn death and the biggest threat to babies'' health today.

Can you think of anything more important than the health of our babies? Children that are born healthy have benefited from the March of Dimes as well. 

Today the girls are doing well and are growing like weeds. They brighten each day for us and we count our blessings each day for their health.  I'm  looking for donations towards our March for Babies team.  If you are so inclined, you can donate at the link listed below.  If you want to walk, also feel free to contact me.  Thanks in advance for reading and your support.

www.marchforbabies.org/ryleigh_hannah

Eric Minnich
[email protected]
610-972-8266

Pictured below are Ryleigh and Hannah, the day after they were born.  Ryleigh was 3lbs 8oz.  Hannah was 3lbs 13oz.  We also have a Facebook group if you'd like to be part of that, let me know.  Thanks again...

Eric - Your baby girls are precious - so tiny! I am so glad that they are doing so well now (pics?? lol).

As a pregnant Mom to be (24 weeks, due May 21st) with our first it is a scary prospect. While I can't donate right now I certainly will (big bill week - ugh!) please add me to your facebook group - [email protected].

I hope that you are able to raise a ton of money - like you said what better cause is there then our children??

Liz

I would assume the pics you are asking for would be the two adorable giggling girls in his profile pic!

well yes - but it's so tiny I can't see their faces! lol

Absolutely gorgeous!

I donate every year for my cousins child who while she was pregnant she had complications and the March of Dimes was a big supporter of her condition (I can't remember what it is called, ironically enough)

Anyway - can you also put this post on your blog?  Although I find it ridiculous, OH has been known to pull posts such as this due to asking for donations.  It's stupid, but they have, and I would hate for people to not be able to access this link.  They can't pull your personal blogs

Thanks for the responses and the words of advice Pam.  Of course I am not seeking donations here publicly...  .  I am merely sharing a story about my daughters and some exercise I plan on doing on May 2nd, in which I may or may not be receiving donations for.  The link is just so you all can learn about the exercise I will be doing on May 2nd. 

This is actually our 4th year doing the March for Babies and in the 3 previous years, we have raised over $10,000 for the March of Dimes.  Our March for Babies team and our involvement in the walk every year is something I am so proud of and just a small way that I can give back for everything they have done for us. 

Liz - Thanks for considering to make a completely optional donation to our team and you have plenty of time to do it.  Pam is right, the two giggling girls are Ryleigh and Hannah.  Here is another picture of them from last year that is bigger and easier to see.



Thanks again to everyone for taking the time to read this.  I will be adding this to my blog too, once I figure out how to do that....

Oh I know - it's just too tiny to see their faces! They are totally adorable! Thanks for posting it!

Hopefully next year I can walk too - this year I will be VERY VERY pregnant so I will have to pass, unless I am ready to bring on the labor at that point! lol

YOu have done an AWESOME job! Keep up the great work!

OMG kudos to Liz for wanting a bigger picture - this is absolutely FANTASTIC!!!!  Adorable!

OH LOOK.. I can get on here from work!!!

I would like to walk with you, Eric.  The only thing that would stop me is if my daughter's Girls on the Run 5K is the same day.    So, I am going to sign up on the website for both of us to join you in the walk on your team!

I'll join the FB team when I get home because I know that site is blocked here.

Hey Lisa, thanks so much for signing up.  Looking forward to you and your daughter walking with us.  Oh and Liz... I completely understand you not walking this year.  Although you going into labor during the walk would give a whole other meaning to the "March of Babies"!  Think of the good press they would get for that.  On second thought, maybe you should walk....