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.

Catharsis Through Volunteerism

Amanda Basom found herself spending six weeks in the NICU watching her baby grow strong enough to come home…this was after her own ordeal with preeclampsia.  In the months that followed, Amanda decided to make her stressful, emotional experience into a positive one.

Amanda is now our Portland, OR Promise Walk for Preeclampsia coordinator…holding our first ever walk in Portland.

This coming May, the pain and stress of the birth of her daughter turns a tough time into a positive for so many others as those in Portland gather to raise awareness of preeclampsia and generate funds to combat the disease.  The day will include a special fundraiser at Oaks Amusement Park where walkers can purchase $15 bracelets to enjoy the afternoon at the park and a portion of the proceeds will go to the Preeclampsia Foundation.

When Amanda signed on as walk coordinator, she understood the task she was taking on was going to be a big one, but it’s been worth it.  “I had never done anything like it before, and it was a little intimidating, but volunteering has actually been very cathartic,” said Amanda when asked about the experience.

If you are in the Portland, OR area on May 12^th, join Amanda by registering at www.promisewalk.org/portland.  Registration is $20 for adults and $10 for children.  The walk begins in Oaks Park at “The Grove” picnic area.

For more information, contact Amanda Basom at Portland@preeclampsia.org.

Inspired to Strength in Boston

Photo of the Field of Cradles/"I Gave You Words" display at the first annual Boston Promise Walk for Preeclampsia in July 2011.

Strength.

Courage.

Self empowerment.

This is the message that first time coordinator Stacy Vallely hopes participants will come away with from the second annual Boston Promise Walk for Preeclampsia.

Stacy was a participant in last year’s Promise Walk for Preeclampsia after her son spent 86 days in the NICU when Stacy developed preeclampsia at 28 weeks.  He was just 2 lbs and 2 oz at birth.  Stacy was moved by the other survivors she heard from that day, the knowledge she gained from an expert at the event and touched by the beauty of the butterfly release.

This year, as coordinator, she hopes the activities and tone of the day are uplifting and inspire others to take on the fight against preeclampsia.  Events at the May 6th Boston Promise Walk include speakers, a moment to remember those lost and survivors, children’s games led by the Life is Good Playmakers, a raffle, face painting and more!

To register for the walk, which is at Castle Island Park, go to www.promisewalk.org/boston.  Registration is $20 for adults and $10 for children.  Registration the day of the walk increases to $25 for adults.  For more information, contact Stacy Vallely at stacy.vallely@gmail.com.

Top 3 Reasons NOT to Host A Promise Walk

How many times have you told yourself: “I just don’t have the time/energy/insert-the-blank to volunteer for the Preeclampsia Foundation… even though I’d probably really enjoy the feeling of helping women just like me.”

Well today, we present the top 3 reasons NOT to host a Promise Walk for Preeclampsia, so you can start having these really great excuses, rather than all that nonsense about how many hours there are in a single day.

1. You do not own a computer or a telephone. Staying in touch is a necessary part of being a coordinator, so if you’ve taken a vow of silence, or chosen a non-technology way of life, this volunteer path may not be for you.
2. You live in an industrial zone without a single decent place to walk. If your town has a carbon footprint the size of a T-Rex, the smog and acid rain might be a bit of a turn off to participants. Instead of hosting a Promise Walk, we’d recommend you work on a family relocation plan.
3. You have no interest in funding life-saving research. After all, 92% of the money raised by the Promise Walk goes straight back into education and research that will help future generations. Science isn’t for everybody, right?

Wait a second… do none of these describe you? Then you have what it takes! Read “Becoming A Promise Walk Volunteer” by Autumn Spear for more information on how to get involved, and join us for a free teleconference call on September 13 to find out what it takes to have a successful Promise Walk for Preeclampsia to your hometown, and help us “Make Strides and Deliver Hope!”

A Brief Life, Yet Cooper Leaves Legacy

A Special Guest Post from San Jose Promise Walk Participant Elizabeth Barnett.

I remember how excited we were when we first found out I was pregnant.  It was November 8, 2010.  I had taken a pregnancy test by myself because I wanted to surprise my husband with the news.  After taking the test I was ecstatic and went to the store where I found a bib that said “Daddy’s hugs are the best.”  My husband gives the best hugs so I thought this was perfect.  I wrapped the bib and went home.  My husband was already home and I could hardly contain myself so I immediately said I had a surprise for him.  He unwrapped the gift and looked at the bib with a bit of a confused look.  It took a little time to register.  I shouted out that I was pregnant!  He was going to be a dad.  Tears of joy just started flowing and we immediately thanked God for the blessing.  In that beautiful moment we had no idea what lay ahead of us. 

At 20 weeks we were told there was a mass on the placenta and our baby hadn’t grown since our 17 week appointment.  We were extremely worried and for the next week I had numerous doctor’s appointments and tests done to try to figure out why our baby wasn’t growing.  Around 22 weeks my feet and legs began swelling.  I assumed this was a normal symptom of pregnancy.  The swelling got worse at 23 weeks with my hands and face swelling overnight.  I was unrecognizable.  I had read a little about preeclampsia but didn’t realize how serious it was.  I had had a busy week and thought I was just on my feet too much and needed to rest.  I drank lots of water and rested all day.  Later that night we took my blood pressure on a home machine.  My blood pressure was really high which was not normal for me.  I was concerned and feeling like something was wrong but knew I had a doctor’s appointment the next day.

At my doctor’s appointment I mentioned I had been experiencing some swelling, my blood pressure was high and I wasn’t feeling well.  The doctor immediately became concerned and had the nurses take my blood pressure.  It was up to 159/111 and there were proteins in my urine.  The doctor sat my husband and I down and that is when everything became a blur.  It all happened so fast.  I was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia and had to get to the hospital immediately.  I would be on bed rest in the hospital until I delivered my baby.  Naively, I was calculating in my head that I would spend 17 weeks in the hospital, not realizing how grave my situation was and how dangerously close to death I had come.

My husband and I went straight to the hospital and called our family on the way.   At the hospital I was immediately hooked up to an IV of magnesium to lower my blood pressure.  My blood pressure was 170/110 when I got there.  They also told us we were having a boy.  Our family arrived at the hospital not long after us so we could explain what was going on and we needed their support.  We were so upset and couldn’t believe how quickly things had taken a downward turn.  The doctor explained all of our options and none of them were good. Our son, Cooper had an 11% chance of surviving and if he did survive, he had a very high chance of having a myriad of problems.

On the morning of March 15, 2011, we chose to induce labor, knowing Cooper most likely would not survive the delivery.  It was the hardest decision we have ever had to make.  As I gave birth to my Cooper, all I could think about was the painful silence: my baby did not cry out to me.  This is not how it’s supposed to be.

Cooper Landon was born at midnight on March 16, 2011 and he didn’t survive.  The nurse immediately handed Cooper to me to hold.  Cooper was a beautiful baby boy.  He was so precious and little, 11 oz. and 11 inches long.  We held Cooper close for a long time and told him we loved him.

After coming home from the hospital, I knew immediately I wanted to do something to make a difference so other families would not have to go through what my family did. Upon hearing of our loss, we had many friends who wanted to make charitable contributions in memory of Cooper.  I began to research online and that is when I discovered the Preeclampsia Foundation.  I also learned there was going to be the first Promise Walk in San Jose on the same date and in the same park my baby shower was going to be.  I couldn’t think of a better way to spend that day.  My family started a team and spread the word.  In a matter of six weeks we had raised $8,000 and about 30 of our family and friends showed up to walk with us.  We were so touched and overwhelmed by all the love and support we felt.  It still brings tears to my eyes.  I know we have already made a difference. 

Today, we are still grieving the loss of Cooper.  Cooper has changed our lives forever and he will never be forgotten.  He will always be our first-born and live in our hearts.  My passion now is to continue to raise awareness about preeclampsia and funds for research.  I supply doctor’s offices with brochures on preeclampsia and share my story whenever possible.  Those are just a couple of ways I help the Preeclampsia Foundation move their mission forward in memory of our son, Cooper Landon.