I’m grateful to have two babies. They are the light of my life and I can’t imagine losing either one of them. Their smiles and giggles lift me up and make me forget that they just scratched our hardwood floors again. I’m fortunate to have had an amazing team of doctors to manage my high-risk pregnancy, pre-eclampsia, and emergency c-section, however many women do not have these options and risk losing their lives (as well as their unborn infants life). It was scary to think that something could happen to any of us and most of the time I led my pregnancy in fear- wondering if the girls were healthy or if todays doctors appointment (of the many every 2 week meetings) might be the one where they give me bad news- a twin didn’t make it or they would need to induce me early. The National Center For Health Statistics recently reported that in 2021, 1,205 pregnant women died -here in the U.S. This maternal death toll was an increase of 40% compared to 2020. Pregnancy and child birth should be considered safe and especially here in our country, women should have access to resources to prevent maternal deaths. As a NICU nurse, I’m fortunate to care for those infants and meet so many mothers who have also had traumatic births. Every Mother Counts is an organization with a mission to help make pregnancy and child birth safe for everyone, everywhere. They specifically work with partners and thought leaders to increase awareness and mobilize communities to take action, as well as give grants. This includes funding childbirth education and pre and antenatal-care in the U.S, as well as lifesaving resources in places like rural Tanzania and mobile clinics and skilled care in Haiti. I’m very grateful to be fundraising for an incredible organization and training for my 11th marathon! I believe that these 26.2 miles will be the most memorable because I will be representing an incredible and important cause that is so personal to me. Please support my fundraising efforts for the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon Fundraising. No donation is too small. Please click on the donate button!