Hallinan Family Works for Awareness in Philadelphia

Danielle, Matt and Annaliese Hallinan

Danielle Hallinan lost her baby daughter, Grace, to HELLP syndrome at only 24 weeks 6 days.  At 22 weeks she developed epigastric pain and called her OB about it.  They told her it was most likely heartburn, to take Zantac and if the pain continued, call them.

Her pain lessened that night, but continued off and on for about a week.  When she went in to see the doctor at her next appointment, the proteins in her urine were 3+ and she had gained 13lbs. in one month.  They sent her directly to the hospital for “more testing” where her blood pressure measured an incredible 221/113.

The ultrasound measured Danielle’s baby at only about 1 lb, but she was in there and kicking all around.  Her heartbeat was strong also. Once Danielle’s blood work came back, it showed her liver and kidneys were starting to shut down.  Delivery was scheduled within the hour.  Danielle’s baby Gracie came out kicking and screaming…literally.  The NICU doctors took her immediately, she weighed 14 oz.  Danielle was put on magnesium for the next 24 hours.  She got to see Gracie in the NICU, and even though she was hooked up to so many wires, she gripped onto Danielle’s finger as tight as she could.  Danielle recalls that, “Her eyes were still not open, and her tiny chest looked like it was working hard to take in oxygen.  They warned me it would be touch and go.”

The next afternoon, the doctors came in and told Danielle that Gracie’s esophagus wasn’t allowing a tube through to her stomach.  They thought it might not be developed all the way down or maybe there was a tear in it and they wanted to transfer her to Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children.  Before she left, they brought her in Danielle’s room to say goodbye.  Danielle said, “It broke my heart as she waved her little hand at me goodbye.  I know she knew I was there.”

Danielle’s sister, who is a nurse, and her mom stayed in Gracie’s room with her there.  Thursday morning, about 2am, Danielle got a phone call from the doctors at DuPont stating that they weren’t very hopeful about Grace’s progress.  She wasn’t doing well – her lungs weren’t getting oxygen to her blood and her oxygen saturation levels were very low.  At 7am, they called again and said that she was maxed out on meds and there was very little else they could do.  They said that Danielle should come to the hospital to see her daughter.

Danielle and her husband drove to Delaware to see Gracie.  They got to see her and touch her.  Gracie wasn’t moving at all, due to the medications that were sedating her and keeping her out of pain.  It wasn’t hopeful.  They were told they could leave her on the support system until her little body gave out, or they could take her off of it.  They decided that she was suffering and wanted doctors to disconnect everything.  After about fifteen minutes, they went back into her room to see her and hold her, but as soon as Danielle saw her little lifeless body she had to turn around and leave.  Danielle sat down in a chair nearby and sobbed.

When Danielle got pregnant again, she was armed with the knowledge that she would probably get preeclampsia or HELLP again, but was sure that she was doing everything possible to prolong a healthy pregnancy.  At 24 weeks, anxiety kicked in, depression and eating.  It was also when they got their diagnosis that their daughter had a birth defect called CDH, Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.  Annelise Nicole was born July 8, 2011 at 1:55pm via c-section at 34 weeks.  She was a fighter from the start.  After 81 days she left the NICU and came home.  Annelise is now a happy and healthy 18 month old.

You can meet the Hallinan family and Gracie’s little sister Annelise at the Philadelphia Promise Walk for Preeclampsia on May 11^th.  Register now at www.promisewalk.org/philadelphia.

One Family at a Time

The St. Louis volunteer team at their inaugural 2012 walk.

St Louis Promise Walk for Preeclampsia Coordinator Jen McCurdy sees her walk through both the heart of a survivor as well as the eyes of a therapist dedicated to helping families with birth psychology and reproductive health issues.

Her journey to the Promise Walks truly started with her first pregnancy.  She was 37 weeks pregnant when she woke up feeling flu-like only to find out it was much more serious.  Her blood pressure had spiked and she was diagnosed with preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome.  Her little boy was born healthy and she later went on to have another pregnancy.  Once again, not able to avoid preeclampsia, this time she ended her pregnancy at 35 weeks after two placental abruptions and an emergency c-section.  Thankfully, her son survived as well.

In St Louis’ second year of their Promise Walk, the team of coordinators hope to raise $9000 and have as many as 200 in attendance.  Jen hopes that their walk provides comfort to those touched by the disease as well as awareness of the illness to those who may not have yet heard of preeclampsia and its symptoms.  She subscribes to the notion of the “walking wounded” and believes her work for the Preeclampsia Foundation helps heal her lingering emotional wounds.

Ultimately, Jen would like to find a cure for preeclampsia, but will be thrilled and feel successful knowing that if she has helped create an event that touches and brings comfort to just one family, she will have done a powerful thing.

Held at Millennium Park in Creve Coeur, the St Louis Promise Walk is Saturday, May 18th.  You can register online at http://www.promisewalk.org/stlouis.

Looking for Her Own Silver Lining Playbook

First time coordinator Sara Scheirer Collins is looking to find something positive from her own traumatic pregnancy experiences.  After developing HELLP Syndrome in her first pregnancy and severe preeclampsia in her second, Sara hopes to spread the message of awareness in Greenwood, South Carolina.

Following the belief that knowledge is power, the Greenwood Promise Walk for Preeclampsia plans to reach at least 100 community members as well as partner with local physicians.  Additionally, the Promise Walk will honor local mothers and babies who have experienced preeclampsia with a table set up displaying their photos and stories.

Looking to strike a fun, family tone as well, Sara promises a “short and sweet one mile walk,” kids’ activities and a hot dog and bake sale.  Sara believes that if she “can provide useful information and bring awareness to at least one mother and child who may face the same situation, then I will be happy with the results of this walk.”  She’ll have found her silver lining.

The Greenwood Promise Walk will be held at the Greenwood Civic Center on May 18^th.  To register, go to www.promisewalk.org/greenwood.

Life Changes In An Instant

Shelia’s daughter Rebecca and twin grandsons.

First time walk coordinator, Shelia Carroll, has a pain in her heart we all hope no parent ever feels.  Shelia lost her adult daughter, Rebecca, to complications of preeclampsia.  Rebecca left behind a husband, two sons and a new baby girl who would never know her mother.

It’s a tragedy that those of us in the community of preeclampsia activists have heard far too often, and one that Shelia obviously wishes had not touched her family as it has.  Yet in the aftermath of this deep heartache, Shelia didn’t retreat.  She summoned the courage to move forward and do so in order to help other families avoid the tragedy that has befallen her own.

One of Shelia’s hopes for the first annual Birmingham Promise Walk for Preeclampsia is that other women and their families will become more knowledgeable of the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia.  She also hopes that attendees will take comfort in meeting and finding others that have been through similar experiences.

Like many of our walks, this one too is a labor of love honoring a mother who died too young.  As Shelia has said, “It is happening out of love, heartache, anger. All the emotions that losing someone to this causes. Emotions that change in an instant.”

Registration is open now for this May 4th event at Railroad Park.  Register at www.promisewalk.org/birmingham.

From One Comes Many

When Becky Sloan went into code blue seizures shortly after arriving in the hospital emergency room she had little knowledge of preeclampsia.  She also had no idea that she shortly would become more than a new mother…she was about to dive head first into driving awareness of preeclampsia.

In 2007, Becky took on the role of coordinator for the San Diego Promise Walk.  She later went on to add the National Walk Director responsibilities, and this year she has overseen the inclusion of ACOG (American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) into our Promise Walks.  ACOG is holding their annual conference in San Diego and has chosen the Preeclampsia Foundation and the San Diego walk as their charity event.

Whatever Becky is doing must be working…two current walk coordinators, Meredith Drews in Orange County, CA and Autumn Spear in Seattle, WA first came to the Preeclampsia Foundation via attendance at the San Diego Promise Walk.  Jenette Zecena also first got involved with the Foundation through the San Diego walk.  Jenette now holds an annual softball tournament in memory of her son.  Jenette and her husband are also this year’s featured personal story of preeclampsia at the San Diego Promise Walk.

Becky’s dedication and passion hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Foundation supporters either.  At last year’s Saving Grace Gala, Becky was named Volunteer of the Year for her dedication to our mission.  Although honored to be recognized by the Foundation, Becky’s hope for this year’s walk and the coming years is for more local recognition and participation by the medical community.

Included in the event, this Sunday, May 6^th are speakers, fun family activities and of course, the walk.  Registration is still open at www.promisewalk.org/sandiego or register at the event.  For more questions, contact Becky at becky.sloan@preeclampsia.org.

Turning Passion Into Action

In 2007, still reeling from the loss at 24 weeks of her twin daughters, Bridget and Elsie, Meredith Drews refused to sit at home recuperating and in her mind, doing nothing. Searching the internet furiously, she found the Preeclampsia Foundation and through it, a way to give back by first getting involved with the San Diego walk, and soon hosting her own.

In her third year coordinating the Orange County Promise Walk, not a day goes by that Meredith does not think of the reasons that she hosts the walk each year.

“I know we were lucky and had great medical care so that I survived, but we will always miss our baby girls,” Meredith commented. “It was so much work that first year, but at the end, people knew more about preeclampsia and about my little girls who only lived an hour; and it all happened because of the work I had done with my family and friends.”

The Orange County Walk is truly a family affair, including an auction run by Drews’ sister and co-coordinator Sara Tisdell and lots of family-friendly activities for the Orange County community. This year, that community has grown to include attendance by Assemblyman Allan Mansoor, Irvine Mayor Sukhee Kang and Irvine City Councilmember Dr. Steven Choi. Assemblyman Mansoor will present a certificate of recognition and Mayor Kang will present the proclamation declaring May Preeclampsia Awareness Month. The program will also include a presentation by the Orange County mission family of Tricia Carlton who will be speaking about her sister Kathleen who died from the results of preeclampsia.  Tricia found out about our walk last year and came after seeing a flyer, then realizing that the walk was the same day as her sister’s birthday.

The Orange County goal is to raise $30,000 and have 200 people registered at their new location in Bill Barber Park in Irvine, Calif. To learn more about the Orange County walk, register at http://www.promisewalk.org/orangecounty.

Butterfly Kisses

Autumn Spear may be a first time walk coordinator, but she’s no stranger to the Promise Walk for Preeclampsia. Autumn attended her first walk in 2008, seven weeks after her daughter was born still due to preeclampsia that struck at 22 weeks into her pregnancy.

After a few years of joining the San Diego walk each year, Autumn has taken on a walk of her own in Seattle, WA. The first annual Seattle Promise Walk for Preeclampsia will take place on May 12th at Marymoor Park in Redmond, WA.

Much of the format of the Seattle walk will follow what Autumn has come to know and appreciate at the San Diego event. In fact, one of Autumn’s favorite memories from years past is the butterfly release done in 2011. It’s at this moment in the day that everyone pauses to think of those we’ve lost to preeclampsia and those who have thankfully survived.

Along with a moment to honor survivors and remember the victims, Seattle will host children’s activities, a silent auction and Dr. Thomas Easterling will speak.

In order to register and attend the Seattle Promise Walk for Preeclampsia, go to www.promisewalk.org/seattle. Cost is $20 for adults and $10 for children. For more information contact Autumn at autumn.spear@preeclampsia.org.

From the Mountaintops

Four years in and gaining momentum, the North Conway Promise Walk for Preeclampsia is shouting from the mountaintops the dangers of preeclampsia while looking to support women and families in the New England area who have been touched by the disease.

Coordinator Megan Stuart has a personal connection to preeclampsia.  In 2008, Megan was diagnosed with preeclampsia and HELLP Syndrome.  Forced to deliver at 33 weeks due to her condition, Megan’s daughter was just 3 lbs 9 ounces and spent two weeks in the NICU.  Thankfully, her daughter is fine now, but it wasn’t the way Megan thought her daughter’s life would begin.

If you’d like to join Megan on her journey to educate others on the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia, please register or donate to the North Conway Promise Walk for Preeclampsia.   The walk will kick off on May 12^th at The North Conway Community Center.

Go to www.promisewalk.org/northconway to sign up.  For more information contact Megan Stuart at nhpromisewalk@gmail.com.

In Our Day and Time…Remembering Emilly and Connor

“I never have thought that in our day and time; women could still die in childbirth…” commented Laura Morrison, the Oklahoma City Promise Walk for Preeclampsia  Coordinator.  Laura now knows all too well, however, how women are still dying.

This time last year Laura and her family were awaiting the birth of their first grandchild, a baby shower ahead and all those dreams and expectations.  Instead, their son’s girlfriend, Emilly, developed preeclampsia a month from her due date and the worst nightmare happened instead.  Emilly and baby Connor both died.  Emilly was just 23 years old.

Laura had barely heard of preeclampsia and didn’t know the signs and symptoms until they lost Emilly and Connor.  She now works with the Preeclampsia Foundation to change that for others.  Laura is holding her first annual Oklahoma City Promise Walk for Preeclampsia on May 12 at the Stars and Stripes Park.

Walk Day will include a raffle, silent auction, kids’ activities as well as a moment of remembrance for those lost and for survivors.   Well on their way to their goal of $8400, there is still time to register.  Go to www.promisewalk.org/oklahomacity to register or donate.  For more information, contact oklahomacity@preeclampsia.org.

Join, Laura and Emilly and Connor’s family and friends so that in our day and time, preeclampsia is eradicated.

Grabbed by the Hand and Led into Helping Others

Four time preeclampsia survivor, three time NICU mom and friend to a woman who lost her baby due to preeclampsia at 34 weeks, Cleveland Promise Walk for Preeclampsia Coordinator Brandi Bigelow knows the toll preeclampsia can take.

Sent home from the hospital after the birth of her first child with liver enzymes unknowingly twelve times the normal level, Brandi owes her life to a follow-up appointment for her daughter at the hospital.  The hospital staff was concerned upon seeing her, drew labs, took her blood pressure and then decided it was best to transfer her to another, larger hospital better able to care for Brandi as she was now in full-blown HELLP Syndrome.

Brandi initially refused the notion of treatment and moving hospitals.  That was until a nurse, according to Brandi, grabbed her by the hand and told her “that my liver was starting to fail and my kidneys didn’t look good either and if I refused treatment, I could die.”  Brandi acquiesced and thankfully recovered.  Three more times Brandi would fight for a healthy pregnancy only to develop preeclampsia once again.

Her final struggle for a “normal” pregnancy was the straw that broke the camel’s back for Brandi.  It’s the straw that lead her to bridge from supporter of the cause to become the Cleveland Promise Walk for Preeclampsia Coordinator.

This will be the first year for the walk in Cleveland and they are off to a strong start.  With plans for survivor stories, kids’ activities and a raffle already in place, the walk promises something for everyone.  To be held May 12^th at the Brookside Reservation, registration is now open and can be found at www.promisewalk.org/cleveland.   The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for children.  Prices increase to $25 for adults for walk-up registration.

For more information, contact Brandi Bigelow at cleveland@preeclampsia.org.