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Next Entries »My angel forever – Cora’s Story in honor of congenital heart disease awareness week
Thursday, February 11th, 2010I have an Angel Forever.
Her arrival was a surprise. Found out Easter Sunday 2009 that she was on her way.
Her departure from this Earth was even more of surprise.
My daughter, Cora, died instantly.
She felt no pain.
Only my love.
As she nursed one moment.
Gone the next.
She’s done more in her five short days than anyone I know.
She is saving lives.
Cora McCormick passed away from congenital heart disease, or CHD, on December 6, 2009. Her heart defect went undetected in utero and after she was born. Cora, unfortunately isn’t alone, an estimated 1 in 100 babies are born with CHD each year. And, CHD is said to be the number one cause of infant death.
This week marks Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week (February 7 to 14). Why is awareness important?
I had never heard of CHD until the coroner called. I spent my entire pregnancy researching, reading, and making sure my baby was born at her healthiest. I still can’t believe her heart wasn’t tested more.
There is no cure for CHD. In fact, not all CHDs can be detected, but I learned a simple test might have saved Cora. Something called a pulse oximetry test can screen for many CHDs when conducted at between 24 to 48 hours of age on a newborn.
Now, other mothers know about pulse oximetry. Now, every mother and father reading this post will know about CHD.
Cora does save lives. She could use your help.
Kristine Brite McCormick writes about Cora (almost) daily on her blog http://www.corasstory.org. If not on her blog, she can be found on Twitter, @kristinebrite or Cora’s Facebook Fan page, telling Cora’s Story. Follow Kristine for more information about congenital heart disease or to learn more about the acts of compassion and kindness Cora has inspired.
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Note from Moi: A big hug and thank you to Kristine Brite McCormick for this absolutely beautiful tribute to her sweet angel Cora. Kristine is a hero, although she will not admit it. When faced with a parent’s worst nightmare, Kristine decided to lead a crusade in honor of her angel Cora. Together they help and educate more people about the hidden dangers of CHD.
New MADD website – The Power of Parents
Sunday, November 1st, 2009My boys are still young right now. Still, I know my oldest (6), is very impressionable. When I fast forward to the future, I can not help but worry some. This is especially true when I think about having my boys out driving and being pressured by their peers to drink alcohol. The reality is that I need to start talking with my elementary age son about these items soon. I want to be the person he trusts and is able to have open communication with. I do not want either of my boys to learn information from a friend that is incorrect.
When I was teaching, one of the subjects that I taught was middle school Health. As we got the students ready for high school we often talked about peer pressure, the dangers of drugs and alcohol. To assist me, I often went to get resources from MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving). On October 27, 2009, MADD launched their new website The Power of Parents: It’s Your Influence.
This website has been designed to help provide parents with key tips, information, and tools to help us at home. Right now, there are a lot of great resources for parents of high school aged children. Coming soon, they will be adding more information for elementary, middle school and college parents. I know that I look forward to seeing what they have to offer for my children in the near future. I hope that you will join in and support MADD in their crusade to save more lives each year.
MADD also has a wealth of information on the MADD Blog, along with their presence on Twitter and Facebook.
Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of MADD. A donation was made to MADD in my name to thank me for taking the time to participate.
Make Every Cup Count for Dress for Success
Tuesday, October 13th, 2009Imagine a non-profit organization that provides interview suits, confidence boosts, and career development to low-income women. Thanks to Dress For Success there is no need to dream this up, it actually exists in over 75 cities worldwide. A fabulous explanation of their program, which was started in NY City in 1997 can be found here.
I have heard about Dress For Success before and have seen what they do for my local community. Thanks to this, I was equally impressed when I heard about the latest collaboration with Nestlé COFFEE-MATE® and Dress for Success. COFFEE-MATE® has started the Make Every Cup Count – Cup of Confidence campaign. They will donate $50,000 and with the help of readers like you reach the goal of $150,000.
So what can you do? Simply head over to send your own Cup of Confidence for FREE. By doing this, COFFEE-MATE® will donate fifty cents and your note will be given to a woman who participates in the Dress For Success program for inspiration. You can also help donate an additional fifty cents for sharing the program on your social media pages like Facebook. I did my part. I helped donate $1.00 for the cause and here is my note:
I hope you will follow me and help a very worthwhile charity.
Disclosure: I was sent an e-mail from a PR representative to help and spread the word about the Make Every Cup Count Campaign. Since this is a worthwhile cause, I wanted to share it with my readers to try to make a difference for Dress For Success. I received nothing for my time and did this for a wonderful charity.
Make time for CHANGE campaign
Thursday, September 24th, 2009Are you willing to raise your hand in order to help a child? As a teacher and parent, I have done this day in and day out. Still, I am going to pledge to do more. Here is me raising my hand with a pledge:
I pledge to read books to my children. I also will volunteer to go into my son’s school to help other children if they need assistance with reading. Nothing better than to put my expensive Master’s Degree to a good cause.
So, you are probably wondering what I am talking about. Here is more information.
Frigidaire recently announced their new partnership with celebrity mother Jennifer Garner. Jennifer and Frifidaire are kicking off their "Make Time for CHANGE" campaign to support Save the Children’s U.S. Programs.
For more than 75 years, Save the Children has been helping children survive and thrive by focusing on early childhood education, literacy and physical activity and nutrition programs.
Save the Children created the CHANGE program (Creating Healthy, Active, and Nurturing Growing-up Environments) to promote healthier lifestyles for children living in poverty by providing nutritious snacks and regular opportunities for children to be physically active.
Starting today, for everyone who goes to Frigidaire.com and raises their hand with a pledge to make time for a child, Frigidaire will donate $1 to support the CHANGE program and Save the Children’s work to help children in need in the U.S. In addition to that, everyone who pledges their time will be entered for a chance to win a new Frigidaire Professional double wall oven! For those looking for a new professional double wall oven, Frigidaire will donate $100 to Save the Children’s U.S. Programs as part of their commitment.
So what are you waiting for? Head on over now and make your pledge and help to make time for CHANGE.
Disclosure: As a member of Mom Select, I was asked to share the information about this campaign with my readers. Since I feel it is a wonderful cause I am doing this and have received nothing from Mom Select or Frigidaire. As a bonus, I am being entered into a contest to win another Frigidaire Professional Double Wall Oven.
Mitzvah Day Fall 2008
Monday, November 17th, 2008Have you done a mitzvah today? If you are not sure what this means, do not worry many people are probably curious as well. The term mitzvah, a hebrew word, has come to mean any act of human kindness. For further information about the historical meaning of mitzvah I will point you here.
People strive to do mitzvot in their everyday lives without making it obvious that they are doing so. Each year our synagogue has a Mitzvah Day in the fall where congragants go out into the community to do good for others. Some of the opportunities were to help out at the Ronald McDonald House, serve food at the local mission, and dance to entertain residents at a senior center.
The children from the hebrew school in grades K-3 were asked to participate in the dancing. NHL was very excited about this and wanted to go with his friends. We decided to participate. Everyone was supposed to arrive at our synagogue at 12:30 for lunch. When we arrived we were greeted by my grandmother working at the registration table.
After lunch we drove to the senior center for the dancing. NHL was quite excited and had a hard time waiting to get on the "stage" to dance.
Here is a shot of him dancing and having a fabulous time. He really is starting to understand the broad picture of what doing a mitzvah is now thanks to hebrew school.
Meanwhile JSL was a little antsy. At the end he decided to untie JL’s laces and have some fun.
This was a great experience and we look forward to future Mitzvah Days to participate in within the community.
So will you do a mitzvah today?
Shooting For A Cause
Friday, December 7th, 2007
Just thought I would help to spread the word. These are beautiful calendars made from photos taken by various people. There are four different calendars available – (1) Earth & Sky – (2) Flowers – (3) Sunrise Sunset – and (4) Wildlife.
All money raised ($5.00 from each calendar) goes to The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children®.
