Thursday, January 30, 2014

March for Babies 2014...Team Kamps wants you!

Here we are again...March for Babies season is upon us.  This time each year, as Brad and I are writing this entry we think, "Wow, we seriously didn't blog all year, we should start that up again."  We quickly remember "Oh yeah, we have triplets...we don't have time for that!"  I applaud all  you parents that do maintain a blog while parenting!

 We are now starting our 4th year of fundraising for the March of Dimes, March for Babies campaign.  This event is always exciting and we look forward to it each year.  Our first year, it was literally our first major outing with the girls, they were 9 months old and the cold/flu season quarantine was over.  Many of our friends met them for the first time that day.  While I paced the NICU floor those first 5 months, I would dream of spring time and if we could just make it to then, this bad dream we had been living would be over.  It was a wonderful day but it became apparent that all the effects from their prematurity would not be over.

Case in point, March for Babies 2012, our second year of fundraising. 2012 was not exactly a calm year medically speaking.  In January, Lucy underwent kidney surgery at the U of I to repair a constriction. We knew this surgery was coming and we made it through, hoping that was the worst of it.  February 8th, 2012 is a day I will never forget.  Brenna had a seizure.  It was scary, it was unimaginable, it was absolutely terrifying. The follow-up medical tests from the seizure revealed that Brenna's shunt was failing, and that she had a large cyst in her brain that needed to be removed.  Surgery 2 in 2012, a shunt revision and cyst removal...a very intricate and tedious brain surgery.  This happened in April and we once again had high hopes that if we just got through this that all would settle down.  We made it through, but 8 days later...another shunt failure.  We were transported to the U of I for yet another brain surgery for our sweet Bren.  She is one tough cookie.  After 6 days in the PICU, we were released...just 12 hours before the March for Babies walk! It was again, a wonderful day for our family and Brenna was able to enjoy the outdoors for a brief time after being in the hospital.

 In 2013, we had the great privilege of being the March for Babies Ambassador Family.  Our friends and family came out and supported us as they always have.  It was wonderful...a little windy....but wonderful. I think the most wonderful part of it all was seeing the girls reaction to our families work.  They were old enough for us to explain what we were doing and why we wanted to help. We were starting a tradition, a legacy of giving for our family and something I hope they continue to strive for the rest of their lives.  Since last year's walk, Anna often asks when we can "March for the babies" again, and then will suggest a time, like  "how about Tuesday."  I know our work has already made a positive impression on her and that makes me smile.

 That brings us to this year, our fourth year with the March of Dimes.  So far, in the past 3 years, Team Kamps has raised over $49,000 for this wonderful organization.  We know what we have done is nothing compared to what the March of Dimes has done for us.  They kept our dreams alive and for that we are forever indebted to this charity.  We once again have high hopes for this year.  Together, as a team, we strive to raise another $25,000.  It is a lofty goal and something that cannot be done without teamwork.  Team Kampers...we hope you will join us again this year and help us to reach our goals. We also would love to welcome new members to our team, so if you haven't joined in on the fun yet, now is the time.  Thanks to all of you following our journey and we hope you consider walking with us on May 10th, 2014 at the DMACC campus in Ankeny.  To join our team or donate, please visit

http://www.marchforbabies.org/KampsAR

Love, Angie, Brad, Anna, Brenna & Lucy

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