Go Team Texas!!

Last week the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) began screening ALL newborns for cystic fibrosis (CF). CF is the last disorder to be added in Texas and part of the 29 disorders for which all newborns should be screened.

Thank you to everyone who signed the CF Petition to ensure every newborn baby has this important screening.

Remember, through our work with the March of Dimes, we not only help others, we change lives.

Stop by and Support Team Bryson!

If you live in Cedar Park, make sure you stop by and support Team Bryson! They will be hosting a bake sale at the Wal-Mart in Cedar Park located at 201 Walton Way.

If you have any upcoming fundraising events, email me and I will post them on the blog.
svance@marchofdimes.com

Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids, and to help ensure they have a safe holiday, here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

ALL DRESSED UP:
Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame. Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility. Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes. When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant. If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child's costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.
Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts. Teach children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost.

CARVING A NICHE:
Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers. Then parents can do the cutting. Votive candles are safest for candle-lit pumpkins. Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and should never be left unattended.

HOME SAFE HOME:
To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations. Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps. Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

ON THE TRICK-OR-TREAT TRAIL:
A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds. If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home. Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat. Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween, remind Trick-or Treaters:

Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.
Carry a cell phone for quick communication.
Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
Never cut across yards or use alleys.
Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom). Never cross between parked cars or out driveways.
Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will!
Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

HEALTHY HALLOWEEN:
A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats. Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils. Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items. Try to ration treats for the days following Halloween.

© 10/09 American Academy of Pediatrics

Saks Fifth Avenue and the March of Dimes

Dear March of Dimes Friends,

We invite you to join Saks Fifth Avenue and the March of Dimes for A Night Out in the Big Apple on Thursday, September 24th. Proceeds will benefit the Signature Chefs event to be held on November 1st at the Four Seasons Hotel.

In addition to March of Dimes receiving 5% of the overall proceeds that night, guests will receive a $100 gift card for purchases of $450 or more or a $250 gift card for purchases of $1,000 or more. Please see the invitation below for further details. Thank you for your continued support and we hope to see you September 24th!

Good Shop Gives to March of Dimes!

Good Shop -- You Shop, We Give

Before you purchase you next item online, go to Good Shop which will donate a portion of the proceeds back to the March of Dimes. All you have to do is visit www.goodshop.com , click your favorite charity, and then receive coupons for your shopping and feel good that a portion of your proceeds will come back to us! There are tons of stores like tire discounts, flowers, Babies R Us, Target, Victoria’s Secret, hotels, gyms, etc.

The Mission of the March of Dimes

Our mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. We carry out this mission through research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies' lives. March of Dimes researchers, volunteers, educators, outreach workers and advocates work together to give all babies a fighting chance against the threats to their health: prematurity, birth defects, low birthweight.

How can you help? Sign up todayat www.marchforbabies.org

Seton NICU Reunion at the Park

Since 1975, the staff of the Marialice shivers Regional Neonatal Center at Seton Medical Center Austin has had a special bond with the graduates of their program. Each year they look forward to seeing how the babies have grown and changed.
This year they are celebrating their 34th year and would like to invite the graduates and their families for an afternoon of fun and to see their former nurses and doctors. There will be trains, moonwalks, refreshements, t-shirts, balloon sculpting, and much more!!

34th Annual Neonatal Reunion Picnic
Saturday, April 18th from 1:00-4:00pm
Bailey Square Park

For more information, contact 324-1086

Create a Video to Get the Word Out!

Team Maddox and Chase have been hard at work fundraising for their team. Using YouTube, they composed this commemorative video of their boys' journey:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfADXNOjzwU

I am in the process of creating a video for my team using One True Media and will share it with you next week!

Bake Sales Are a Great Way to Raise $$$$

One of our Family Teams Committee Members, Krystal Kattner, let us in on one of her most successful fundraising events for her team Full Hearts, Empty Arms.

Host a bake sale!!! Krystal has found that cookies and cupcakes are the best sellers. She put 3-4 cookies in a clear bag with purple ribbon and a March of Dimes sticker. People were buying them for $1-5 per sweet treat! She also sold awareness bands for those that did not want any treats. A tip jar was placed on the table for people that just wanted to donate to the cause.

As you can see from the pictures, she used March of Dimes banners to decorate her table.

***If this is something that you are intersted in doing, you may want to speak to the manager of your local Wal-Mart as they match the amount that you raise!

An Urgent Message from the President of March of Dimes

Dear friend,
The March of Dimes means hope for all babies. And we are making progress — the rate of premature birth declined in 2007 for the first time in many years.
But in 2009, we face great challenges in continuing to fund our lifesaving research and programs. I am sorry to bring bad news, but I must tell you that even though tens of thousands of people have signed up for March for Babies, our fundraising is down by 15 percent. That means we cannot support babies and families as strongly as we did just last year.
Recently, we made the difficult decision to cut $3 million in research grants — funding that was urgently needed to develop new treatments for babies born too soon or with birth defects. We planned to bring NICU Family Support® to 20 new hospitals in 2009. Now, I fear we won’t meet this goal. This program, which provides much-needed information and comfort to parents with a baby in newborn intensive care, is now in jeopardy.
I know that you care about the health of moms and babies because you participated in our walk before. I am writing to you today to let you know that your help is need more than ever in 2009. Please go to marchforbabies.org and sign up for this important campaign. Your participation will help restore hope to the millions of families who look to us for information, leadership and scientific breakthroughs that improve the health of babies.
The March of Dimes means hope for all babies. Thank you for not letting them down.

With Gratitude,
Dr. Jennifer L. Howse

Aces for Babies!

Come join Farmers Insurance Central Texas Division in a Texas Hold'em Charity Poker Tournament benefiting the March of Dimes, March for Babies. A seat at the charity tournament costs $275 which includes lunch from Spaghetti Warehouse and a cash bar.

Not a confident poker player? Join us for the festivities as a Spectator for only $50 which includes lunch/snacks from Spaghetti Warehouse, casino games, and a door prize raffle.

Don't miss out on this great charity tournament! Register today as seats are limited.

Aces for Babies

Charity Poker Tournament

Saturday, May 2nd, 2009

Registration: 9:00am- 10:00am

Charity Poker Event:10:00am- 6:00pm

Relaxed, casual attire.

Register online at MOD2009.RedVelvet Events.com

Spaghettie Warehouse, 117 West 4th Street

For more information and sponsorship opportunities, contact Julia@RedVelvetEvents.com or call 512-380-9688.

Plushland Will Break Minimum Order Quantity!

Great news! After talking to the Plushland sales rep, she advised that she would be willing to sell our Family Teams any quantity of stuffed animals that they would like for their fundraising efforts! So, visit http://www.plushland.com/, determine what stuffed animals you would like to order and how many of each and then contact Jo Ann!

Jo Ann McKinley
jo@plushland.com
785-845-2563

Become a Fan on Facebook

Are you on Facebook Become the newest March for Babies fan and get updates on upcoming events! Search "Austin March for Babies".

Family Fun Day at Gymboree!

There's a fun and exciting event coming up, so please mark your calendars and save the date to join us at GYMBOREE Sunday, March 8th from 2:00-4:00pm.

We will be hosting the annual Family Teams Recruitment Event at Gymboree located at 8015 Shoal Creek Boulevard and hope that you can be there! Whether you are thinking about starting your own Family Team, have just registered for the first time, or are a returning Family Team, we would love for you to attend this fun day of activities! Please feel free to bring your family and friends that will be walking with you or that are interested in starting their own Family Team. This will be an exciting event for the whole family as there will be lots of activites for the kids, door prizes, fundraising ideas and tips, and snacks!

Schedule of Events

2:15-3:00pm- Gymboree Class (Parent and Child Participation)

3:05pm- Door Prizes Awarded (Must be Present to Win)

3:10-3:30pm- Fundraising Ideas and Tips

3:30-4:00pm- Stay-n-Play, Pick Up Materials, Snacks & Drinks

~Don't Forget to Wear Your Socks!~

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Stasia Vance at 512-477-3221 or email svance@marchofdimes.com. Register your team today at marchforbabies.org

1st Annual Preschool Fair (FREE!)

http://www.geocities.com/momsclubcp/preschoolfair.html

Mom's Club Cedar Park, Texas Presents
1st Annual Preschool Fair
Proceeds Benefit March of Dimes

When: Saturday, January 24th from 10:00am- 1:00pm
Where: Dr. John's Sports Center (1800 Clover Lane in Cedar Park)


Join us for our first Preschool Fair! Did you know that fall registration starts as early as February for some of the most popular programs in the area? As a community service project, we are trying to save busy moms time by bringing school representatives together in one place -- researching the plethora of options in person is so difficult when you have little ones to tote around! Hopefully we can help those who are shopping for a preschool to narrow down your list. We also have other fun enrichment class options to explore.
The following schools/businesses will be in attendance:
Austin Children's AcademyCedar Park Kid's Day Out (The Rock United Methodist Church)A Child's Haven (Cedar Park First United Methodist Church)The Goddard School (Cedar Park & Leander locations)The Good Earth Day SchoolHill Country Christian School of AustinHIS Kids Preschool (New Hope Baptist Church, Cedar Park)Kids of the King Mother's Day Out (Central Baptist Church, Leander)Leander UMC Mother's Day OutLive Oak Community MontessoriPrimrose School - Vista RidgeRainbow StationRising Stars PreschoolSapientia MontessoriTRES Amigos Preschool & Summer CampWanna Play Play Care (Mother's Day Out and Drop-in Care)Emler Swim SchoolKindermusik by a Joyful JourneyThe Little GymMusic Forever Music TogetherPianoforte Piano LessonsTumblebus Gymnastics - will be on-site for playtime!Usborne Books
We will also have Farmer's Insurance there to hand out child ID kits, concessions from Dr. John's, and a bake sale, as well as other activities and demos to keep kids busy.
We look forward to seeing you on the 24th!
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This is so great!

For all of you that have babies that just started eating solid foods, you have to check out this spoon! Great for moms on the go!

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=534788&cmSource=Search