Upcoming event
March for Babies - Kauai 2017
F
Kauai 2017 Ambassador Families
or the 2017 Kauai March for Babies we are honored to have two Ambassador families. Why two families? These two families became one Ohana during a very difficult time when two boys – both born premature, just weeks apart – and their moms, Natassja and Christine, became support for one another during their stay at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children. The March of Dimes has a NICU Family Support Program Coordinator and very active volunteers to help the families whose babies are being cared for in the NICU. Many of those families are from the neighbor islands, like Kauai, and are away from the close ohana here at home. Creating a “home away from home” is essential not only for the survival of the newborn, but also for the emotional well-being of the moms and dads. It is common for parents of premature babies to worry about the baby, about kids at home, keeping the bills paid, and flying back and forth to Oahu. Each family has a unique story, but also one that is too familiar for too
PHOTO BY JENNFER GARCIA
PHOTO BY CHRISTINE MORALES
Keanu Strickland
Silas Limbaugh
many babies. It is through the common experience that bonds are formed with other families, the March of Dimes NICU Family Support Program Coordinator, volunteers, doctors, nurses, and of course that of parents and their newborns. Natassja Strickland was excited of course to be pregnant with her 3rd child. However, complications set in with high blood pressure, pre-
eclampsia, and she was transferred to Kapiolani on January 20, 2015. The due date for this baby was May 12. Arriving at Kapiolani on Oahu, Natassja worried about her family here on Kauai. “My girls. Do they think I’ve deserted them? My husband. Can he do this alone? I’m going to miss them. Their hugs, their touch. The evSEE FAMILIES, PAGE 4
Date: Saturday, April 8, 2017 Times: 6:45 a.m.: Registration 7:30 a.m.: Opening Ceremonies & warm-up 8:00 a.m.: 1.5 Mile walk through Lydgate Park 8:30 a.m.: Entertainment, breakfast, keiki carnival, a petting zoo, games and prizes Where: Lydgate Park main pavilion How: Register online at www.marchforbabies.org. For more information, contact Juno Apalla at 634-5840 or japalla@marchofdimes.org. We’re getting ready to walk in March for Babies! It promises to be a fun morning out with people who share our passion for improving the health of babies. Join family teams, company teams and people walking with friends for a great cause: making a difference for real families right here in our community. Sign up and raise money to help more moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies.
Our mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.
Give every baby a fighting chance! Support March of Dimes in their fight against birth defects, premature births, and infant mortality Purchase select Aloha Gourmet Snacks, World’s Finest Chocolates and Old Trapper Teriyaki Beef Sticks at any Longs Drugs Store. Longs will donate the proceeds to the March of Dimes! A Limited Edition March of Dimes Teddy Bear is available for purchase at any Longs Drugs store. Quantities are limited. While supplies last.
marchofdimes.org/hawaii/
M A R C H F O R BA B I E S - K AUA I 2 0 17
Wednesday, March 22, 2017 • 1
The History The work of March of Dimes has literally changed the world
and sharing discoveries to transform our understanding of the causes and prevention of preterm birth. You can learn more at prematurityresearch.org
Gynecologists (ACOG) in Hawaii to support provider education.
The funds we raise go toward community programs and important research that will have the broadest impact on the health of all babies. In Hawaii, more than 18,400 babies are born every year, and the work of the March of Dimes touches each one of them, whether they are born healthy, prematurely, with a birth defect or other health complications.
Education
The March of Dimes helps women and families prepare for the healthiest possible Each year in Hawaii: pregnancy by provid• 1859 babies are born pre-term – that’s 1 ing the latest health information in English in 10 babies born too soon and Spanish. We • 558 babies are born with a birth defect communicate this in• 121 babies die before reaching their first efforts in partnership with the Hawaii Maformation through our websites, printed birthday ternal & Infant Health Collaborative to es- materials, videos, social media, personal• Prematurity and birth defects are the tablish a system to increase access to ized answers to questions via email and leading causes of infant mortality long-acting reversible contraceptives workplace programs. • The medical and societal cost of and establish a system to assess women Also this past year, 148,000 women preterm birth is $96 million in the U. S. for substance use during pregnancy, and wishing to record their pregnancies Through community service, advoAdvocacy offer prenatal screening, brief intervendownloaded CineMama ®, our mobile cacy, research, education and support, phone app. In addition to turning picwe are changing the lives of moms, baMarch of Dimes’ volunteers and staff tion and referral to treatment (SBIRT) work to influence both legislative and tures of their growing bellies into fun movbies, and families across the country and Research regulatory activities in Hawaii by serving in your community, here on Kauai. ies, updates allowed them to celebrate as powerful voices for the needs of pregtheir progress, track wight gain and get In 2016, the March of Dimes invested tips on how to have a healthy baby. nearly $20 million in research to undernant women, infants, children and families. In 2016, the March of Dimes stand, treat and prevent the serious achieved two legislative victories by sehealth problems that threaten infants. The impact of this research improves the curing funding to reestablish the state’s child death review and to establish a ma- care of moms and babies in Hawaii, throughout the United States and across ternal mortality review program. In addithe globe. tion, March of Dimes advocates against Our work includes supporting five budget cuts that would have eliminated March of Dimes Prematurity Research funding for the state’s birth defects surCenters, where teams of brilliant scientists veillance program. The March of Dimes also secured two regulatory wins through and researchers are looking for answers
Community
Support
The March of Dimes is focused on the prevention of preterm birth by working to educate consumers and providers on the importance of spacing pregnancies 18 months apart and increasing access to long-acting reversible contraceptives in partnership with the Hawaii Maternal and Infant Health Collaborative. In addition, the March of Dimes partners with the American Congress of Obstetricians and 2 • Wednesday, March 22, 2017
The March of Dimes brings together families affected by birth defects, premature birth and infant loss through our online community, shareyourstory.org. We also offer information and comfort to families with a baby in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) through our NICU Family Support® program in Honolulu. M A R C H F O R BA B I E S - K AUA I 2 0 17
marchofdimes.org/hawaii/
Partners in Health for Hawai ‘i UHA and HDS have shared a common heritage from the start. When HDS decided in 1996 to refocus solely on dental plans to improve the oral health of the state, UHA picked up their medical benefits division. “Since then, we’ve maintained a wonderful partnership with UHA, and continue to offer UHA health benefits to our own HDS employees. UHA has a great ‘Better Health, Better Life’ philosophy and we like the benefits that this translates into for our employees. Just as HDS is paving the path as a leader in improving oral health for Hawaii we look to UHA...as the leader in overall employee wellness.”
Mark and the HDS team get in a workout at UHA’s Wellness Institute.
Mark Yamakawa President and CEO Hawaii Dental Service hhawa.com
We are proud to support
March of Dimes in the vital work they do for Hawai‘i keiki.
UHA’s Kelly B. focuses on wellness.
-
@uhahealth uhahealth.com marchofdimes.org/hawaii/
Neighbor Islands: 1(800) 458-4600, ext. 301 Oahu: (808) 532-4009 M A R C H F O R BA B I E S - K AUA I 2 0 17
Wednesday, March 22, 2017 • 3
Ambassador families continued
eryday life with my family. It’s just been snatched away in an instant.” Natassja’s condition worsened to the point both she and the baby were at risk of permanent damage. She had an emergency C-section and delivered Keanu Alexander Lonokouali’i Ryoma Strickland at only 27 weeks gestation. He weighed 1 lb., 9 oz. and was 12.5 PHOTO BY JENNFER GARCIA inches long. “I remember Keanu Strickland and family looking at my husband’s pale face as they were doing CPR on our son after losing his pulse. 10, 2015 Christine headed to the Wilcox He was not breathing on his own. Then I Hospital Emergency Room and was fully heard his beautiful cry.” dilated. She gave birth to Silas Alika WilNatassja and Keanu finally went home liam Limbaugh on March 10, 2015 at just 28 weeks gestation, weighing 3 lbs., 1.4 May 13, 2015 – after 105 days (15 weeks) oz., and measuring15.5 inches long. As of staying in the NICU. He recently celepart of the Hawaii Pacific Health family, brated his 2nd birthday. Wilcox Hospital assisted Christine and Silas Christine Morales was excited to be pregnant with her first child. The due date to transfer to Kapiolani on March 13. Typical of connections here on Kauai, of her baby was May 31, 2015. On March
4 • Wednesday, March 22, 2017
N
We would sit in the cafeteria and talk about our fears and our worries. How did Keanu do with feeding? Are you moving downa stairs? Did you eat? Can I t handle being a mom with- m out the help of nurses?” t Silas was discharged b May 12, 2015 after 63 days t in the NICU. He recently g celebrated his 2nd birth- s day. p “Even though Natassja t PHOTO BY CHRISTINE MORALES and I never got the Silas Limbaugh and family chance to hang out once b we came back to Kauai, I c kept up with the happenings in Keanu’s c Christine saw an acquaintance, Lovely. p Lovely is Natassja’s cousin and the recep- life,” Christine reported. tionist at Wilcox ER. Lovely also delivered a “I’ve enjoyed watching him grow into a c baby at Kapiolani and was in the room very handsome and mischievous boy the M N right across the hall from Christine. It was past two years!. I’m super excited and through this acquaintance Christine met very happy I get so share another amaz- s i Natassja. “During our time in the NICU, ing and life changing experience with laughter was a necessity. Without NaNatajassa by helping with the March for N p tassja, Lovely, and Keahi (Big Island), I Babies. I pray this friendship lasts a lifewould have been drowning in my sorrows. time.”
N
Life insurance is an essential part of caring for your family. Your Edward Jones financial advisor can help you find a life insurance policy that best suits your family’s needs. Call today.
Hua Moon Women’s Health LLC in Kapaa welcomes new patients! Our certified nurse midwives provide holistic women’s health care in our comfy office including annuals, pap exams, prenatal care, birth control, breastfeeding help, STI testing, menopausal evaluation and much more!
INS-1945E-A
PH: 631-2682 Makai Ola Building 4-1558 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaa
Edward Jones operates as an insurance producer in California, New Mexico and Massachusetts through the following subsidiaries, respectively: Edward Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C., Edward Jones Insurance Agency of New Mexico, L.L.C., and Edward Jones Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, L.L.C.
M A R C H F O R BA B I E S - K AUA I 2 0 17
marchofdimes.org/hawaii/
NICU Family Support
N
ICU FAMILY SUPPORT: The March of Dimes NICU Family Support Program was started 14 years ago and is in more than 120 hospitals across the country. This program provides information and comfort to families during the NICU hospitalization of their newborn, during the transition home, and in the event of a newborn death. The program contributes to NICU staff professional development and promotes the philosophy of family-centered care throughout NICUs. Babies in the NICU may have been born too small, too soon, or with a medical condition that requires intensive care. Throughout the NICU experience, parents can be involved in their baby’s care in a variety of important ways. The March of Dimes has developed the NICU Family Support program to help support families during their baby’s time in the NICU. The program also educates NICU staff about the best ways to support babies, families, and each other. Hospitals with a NICU Family Support
program are able to offer their families special materials including keepsake booklets for their baby, a guide for parenting in the NICU, and a NICU glossary and guide. There are special materials for families with babies in the NICU less than 14 days, a common experience that can also be very frightening and stressful. As part of the program, March of Dimes also provides information for extended family members such as grandparents and siblings, and materials just for dads. In addition, families can access March of Dimes NICU resources online from any device with an internet connection.
Since that time we have: • Distributed more than 5,000 parent care kits to families • Offered more than 325 parent activities/parent education hours • Touched the lives of over 4,000 family members who attended activities/education hours for parents, grandparents and siblings • Trained over 60 Kapiolani staff in Family-Centered Care (plus 10 non-Kapiolani staff trainings) • Invested over a half a million dollars in this program In the United States, a baby The program is currently implemented is born prematurely every minute, and in over 120 NICUs across the country inapproximately 72 die each day before cluding here in Hawaii at Kapiolani Med- reaching their first birthday. Worldwide, ical Center for Women & Children. 15 million babies are born too soon each The Hawaii March of Dimes supports a year. part-time NICU Family Support Specialist Babies born even a few weeks early at Kapiolani. are at risk for developmental delays and The program was launched in 2005. medical problems.
COMMITTED TO OUR COMMUNITY A PROUD SUPPORTER OF THE
MARCH OF DIMES Mahalo to all March for Babies participants and their efforts to give every baby a chance in life.
www.YoungBrothersHawaii.com
marchofdimes.org/hawaii/
M A R C H F O R BA B I E S - K AUA I 2 0 17
Wednesday, March 22, 2017 • 5
Because of your support!
Your valuable support of March of Dimes helps us further our mission to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.
Locally Owned & Operated
Hearts4Kauai offers: • CPR/FIRST AID TRAINING (Heartsaver/BLS) • American Heart Association Certification • Online Instruction Available • AED Sales & Service and First Aid Kit Fulfillment
www.hearts4kauai.com
6 • Wednesday, March 22, 2017
652-1284
M A R C H F O R BA B I E S - K AUA I 2 0 17
marchofdimes.org/hawaii/
Kauai Ambassador Families 2009-2016 Kaiwi Harder 2010
McKenzie Godsill 2009
Stella Sapp 2011
TeeAnn Garcia 2012
Rhextyn Butay
Taislee Simao 2014
2013
Ka’eo Punzal 2015
Syler Nero 2016
Happy to help keep our Happy to help keep our community chatting,gaming, gaming, community chatting, connecting andthriving. thriving. connecting and
Mahalo for your support Your valuable support of March of Dimes helps us further our mission to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. March for Babies will be held at Lydgate Park on Saturday, April 8. It’s a family-friendly event where the community comes together to raise money to support research, services, education and advocacy in the fight against prematurity, birth defects and infant mortality. There will be live entertainment, activities for the keiki from Fun N Kwazy, a petting zoo, and games and prizes with Kustom Sounds Kauai. Interested walkers can visit marchforbabies. org to sign up and raise money as an individual or to join a team. You can also start a family or company team and make a donation. For more information about March for Babies, contact Kauai’s March for Babies’ coordinator Juno Apalla at japalla@marchofdimes.org or 808-634-5840. Or you may call the March of Dimes Hawaii office toll free at 1-800-272-5240.
Proud to support March for Babies, Lydgate Park, 2017 Together We Walk to Help Our Babies Win!
(808)643-2100 643-2100 (808) Oceanic Time Warner Cable is proud to support Oceanic Time Warner Cable is proud to support the March of Dimes. the March of Dimes. marchofdimes.org/hawaii/
M A R C H F O R BA B I E S - K AUA I 2 0 17
Wednesday, March 22, 2017 • 7
8 • Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Complimentary boat tour for Kauai Residents with ID in 2017 Good
throug
h 12/3
1/16
for info, call or visit
M A R C H F O R BA B I E S - K AUA I 2 0 17
marchofdimes.org/hawaii/