Alicia's Story

I was first introduced to the March of Dimes in 2004. I walked with my company team, but I never really made the connection to their mission. I donated periodically and participated in the annual walk throughout the years. In 2009, everything changed. My son, Kevin, was born 10 weeks early and weighed only 3.5lbs. He spent 53 days in the NICU. Kevin had to learn and overcome everything that one can often take for granted. Simple tasks like breathing and eating were major hurdles. While in the NICU, I was directed to the March of Dimes. It was then that I began to understand the mission of the March of Dimes. I decided to find ways to give back to this organization. 18 months later, Savannah was born at 27 weeks and weighed 2lbs. I was faced with an even longer and more complicated NICU journey. Savannah needed surfactant, blood transfusions, medicine to close a small hole in her heart and spent over 60 days in the NICU before she breathed on her own. I am eternally indebted to the March of Dimes. The research they funded helped save Savannah's life. I never thought I would need the March of Dimes nor did I think I would directly benefit not just once-but twice! I look at Kevin and Savannah every day and I remember those babies that never got to go home. Those families who planned funerals instead of homecoming celebrations will forever linger in my thoughts. I am dedicated to the March of Dimes and am doing what I can to help build a bright future for babies. My desire is that no family experiences what these families did.

This passion led me to online fundraising which I love because it works well with my work schedule and family life. I do not have the time that other fundraising methods demand. I have been blessed with an amazing support group and a system of friends. I use pictures, facts, slideshows, goals and incentives to help raise money online. I send emails to almost everyone I know. I typically post a Facebook status every other day that relates back to the March of Dimes. I always include our team's website so they know that donating online is just a click away. I update my team’s website every year with pictures and a summary of our history with prematurity.  Below are some examples of how I post to Facebook and Instagram.

 ·         Pictures

I will post pictures of my kids at birth and current pictures so that my friends can see my kids’ growth. I may post something like the following: "Savannah was only 2lbs at birth. She is now a healthy active 2 year old because of the March of Dimes. We're working to overcome prematurity, but we can't do it without your help. Please donate! Visit online at www.marchforbabies.org/__ "

 ·         Personal Facts

Use personal facts to make that connection to the March of Dimes. I believe they work best because they help others understand why I am so passionate.  I do this by tying monetary amounts to personal statistics like their birth weight, gestational age at birth, or number of NICU days. For example: "Kevin was born 10 weeks too soon. Savannah was born 13 weeks too soon. Please consider donating to the March of Dimes so no baby is born too soon! Maybe you can donate $10 in honor of Kevin or $13 in honor of Savannah. Any amount helps. Visit our team page to donate online and learn more about the March of Dimes- www.__________ ".

 ·         Slideshows

My sister, Ashley, created a slideshow about their NICU journeys. It chronicles the journey by showing pictures from the baby bump until the day they came home and ends with a current picture. I took pictures everyday while in the NICU so she had a large picture selection. Ashley put them to music and the last slide lists ways to donate. I then posted this slideshow to FaceBook and to my personal blog.

 ·         Goals

I utilize the March of Dime's online tools to help announce my personal fundraising goal on my Facebook, emails and team's web page. I also incorporate goals into a Facebook status. For example: "Only 22 days left to the March for Babies. I am $150 away from goal of $1,000!! That's only $6.18 a day. YOU can donate $6.18 today and help me meet my daily goal!! Visit us online ______ "

 ·         Incentives

I usually save incentives for the home stretch. I use my own funds for the incentives so I try not to utilize this method unless I need it.  For me, food gift cards work best. Here is an example. "Donate today and be entered in a drawing for a $15 gift card to Starbucks. Drawing ends May 1^st. Donating online is easy and just a click away- visit us at _______________"

Finally, I always publicly thank my sponsors (unless they ask me not too). For example: “I would like to send a BIG thank you to Mike for his online donation. Mike- thank you SO much for supporting our team. We are getting closer to our goal. You can donate online too- Visit us at ____________”. I also send thank you emails at the end of the fundraising campaign. I include pictures of the walk and thank all who donated for helping me reach my goal. It is important to thank everyone especially if you plan to ask them every year. It encourages continued support for years to come.
 
The above examples helped my team and I raise over 5,000 dollars last year in online donations. It's simple. You can do it too! Do not be discouraged if the response is not immediate. People usually wait until the last minute to donate. Stay positive and keep pressing forward. Happy fundraising and best of luck for a successful 2013 campaign.

Written by Alicia Grant of family team Prayers Granted in San Antonio.