This Fall, Iām excited to share that Iāll be running the NYC Marathon on Team Every Mother Counts. Hereās my why: Those close to me have heard Conradās birth story. After laboring for over 48 hours, a failed epidural, and a cascade of interventions, I ended up needing an emergency c-section. It was all incredibly emotional and traumatic for me and I still struggle looking back at these photos (during the c-section, not being able to hold Conrad for a while, and suffering from postpartum depression). Today, over one year after my son was born, I have found myself reflecting on this intense period. Iām grateful to have had such a strong support system with Zack, my family, and my friends. And Iām grateful that I had access to quality and respectful healthcare. The reality for so many women can be so much worse. Globally, 1 woman every 2 minutes dies from complications from childbirth and pregnancy. The US has the worst maternal death rate in the developed world and Black women are up to three times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy and childbirth-related complications.
I believe that every mother, everywhere has a right to a safe pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. To help build awareness and improve maternal health outcomes, Iāve committed to raising funds and running the NYC Marathon on behalf of Every Mother Counts.
I welcome those in my network to learn more about the mission of Every Mother Counts, and consider a donation if youāre able.
$32 can provide essential antenatal and delivery supplies and equipment to care for one woman in Karatu, Tanzania.
$50 can pay for five hours of legal counseling for victims of maternal health rights violations in India.
$120 can provide one low-income woman in central Florida with four childbirth education sessions on breastfeeding, nutrition, self-care and newborn care.
$150 can provide a clean, safe birth kit for 50 moms in Coxās Bazar, Bangladesh.
$238 can pay for a stocked midwifery backpack of supplies for one student in Guatemala.
$360 can provide individualized education and support on breastfeeding, nutrition, self-care and newborn care for three women in Central Florida.
$1,257 can pay for a motorcycle for a community to use to transport a woman to a health clinic or hospital in southwest Uganda.
$4,200 can cover the annual salary of a skilled birth attendant who will see 600 women a year in rural Haiti.
