Gratitude: Day 17

I am thankful for my 6 nieces. 5 of them were born prematurely and, this brings me back to being so thankful for healthcare in the United States. Today, is Prematurity Awareness Day, and I'm stealing this from my sister-in-law on the CaringBridge page for one of my adorable nieces. Auntie loves you all!

Every year, 1 in 8 babies is born too early.  That is more than half a million babies in the United States alone. Our country’s premature birth rate has risen by 36 percent over the last 25 years. Premature births cost more than $26 billion a year and takes such a toll on families that I can't even put it into words. Babies born just a few weeks early are at risk of severe health problems and lifelong disabilities.  Premature birth is the number 1 killer of newborns. Sadly, many families know this pain all too well.

Today is National Prematurity Awareness day.  Please say a prayer for families you may know or may not know that are struggling to fight for their premature baby.  

When Kailey and Breley were born at 24 weeks, they were just barely viable outside the womb.  They were both 1 lb 6 oz and were 12 inches long.  Because of their weight and gestational age they were labled "MICROPREEMIES."  Just think of that name for a minute.....MICRO  PREEMIE.  It kind of makes your heart ache to think that so many babies are born so early that there is actually a name for them.  

Kai and Bre arrived 16 weeks early and as you all know, they had some major and life threatening health issues.  The amazing staff at Sanford did everything they could for our little girls and they had some great technology and life saving tools at their fingertips.  It is because of the awareness that more and more people donate to things like March of Dimes or Children's Miracle Network and it is because of your donations that doctors and nurses are able to save more and more babies that are born too early.   

Please take some time today to pray and to share the word about National Prematurity Day.  THANK YOU!