November is Prematurity Awareness month and last night Jenya and I were honored to volunteer as a mission family for the March of Dimes Gala. For those of you that don't know, the March of Dimes is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping premature babies and to put an end to prematurity. While we were in the NICU, the March of Dimes lended their support to our family. With that in mind, I decided I wanted to attend their gala for my birthday. I was devastated when I found out that the tickets were $500/person; just a little out of our budget. After informing the coordinator that we would unfortunately be unable to attend, she asked me how I found out about the event. I explained to her our association with the March of Dimes and she then informed me about the volunteer position. As mission family, Jenya and I greeted our six tables, welcomed them to the event, and thanked them for their contributions. Previous to the event, we provided our story which was on the table for the guests to read. It was wonderful success and Jenya and I got to enjoy the most magnificent food from many renowned chefs. Below is our story that was at each place setting:
The Stepanov Family
Welcome to the 2012
Signature Chefs benefiting the March of Dimes.
We are the Stepanov family and we will be your table hosts for the
evening. If you need anything, please
don’t hesitate to ask.
We
would like to take a moment to share our story.
In September of 2010, four weeks into pregnancy, we were told the
exciting news that Rachel was pregnant with triplets. The first thought that came into mind was of
prematurity; the average triplet pregnancy lasts 32 weeks and we began to do
everything we could to prepare ourselves for a NICU stay. When Charli Kate, Adrik, and Tali arrived
after only 29 weeks and 5 days of gestation, we discovered the hard fact that
nobody can be equipped for the testing and emotionally draining experience of
having a premature baby, let alone having three. Through the worst times and all the ups
downs, the March of Dimes was there to lend their support. During the triplets’ two month plus stay in the
NICU, the March of Dimes provided Rachel and other NICU mothers the opportunity
to step away from their babies bedsides and to get their minds off of the constant
monitors and alarms signaling that their infant was yet again having another
Brady episode. Programs such as creating
scrapbooks for their newborns and Mother’s Day mini-makeover allowed the NICU
mothers to have some normalcy and bonding that is desperately needed. Without the care provided by the March of
Dimes our time in the NICU would have been unbearable.
We are
here tonight supporting the March of Dimes as they once supported us in our
time of need, in hopes that through their Prematurity Campaign we can grow
closer and closer to ending premature births through research, education, and
legislation.
We thank
you so much for your support of The March of Dimes and the Signature Chefs
auction.
Sincerely,
Rachel, Will, Charli Kate, Adrik, and Tali Stepanov
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