Saving babies, one step at a time

Remember this little guy?

Henry, Day of Life #2

Henry, Day of Life #8

This is him today, at 22 months.

That thing he is standing on? A giant rock that he jumped off a minute later.

We remain forever grateful for the excellent care, lifesaving procedures and sophisticated equipment that were available to Henry when he was born prematurely nearly two years ago.

It comes as no surprise to us that, after spending their week caring for premature newborns, some of the members of Henry’s NICU team are taking a precious weekend day off on Sunday, April 27 to walk in the March of Dimes March for Babies.

Their walk will raise money to provide better access to prenatal care, support for families with premature babies and fund vital research, among other things.

If you’ve known a preemie,

if your child was a preemie,

if you were a preemie,

if you’re grateful that you didn’t have a preemie,

if you might someday have a preemie,

if you’d like to honor the medical professionals that cared for Henry,

or if you just think Henry is a tough guy,

I encourage you to click here and make a donation toward Henry’s NICU team goal of $2,000. They’re about halfway there—will you join us in helping them reach their goal?

And if saving premature babies isn’t enough for you, how’s this?

If any Hank & Willie reader* makes a donation to Henry’s team before Saturday, April 26, I will post a photo of me and my friend doing the March of Dimes WalkAmerica (as it was formerly called) circa 1983.

WITH OUR PURSES.

BECAUSE YOU NEED YOUR PURSE WHEN YOU WALK 20 MILES.

I’m telling you, it’s worth it for the photo alone.

*When you make a donation, send me a message or leave a comment so I know if I really am going to have to post this photo!

Edited to add: H & W readers are amazing, thank you! I’ll post the photo on Monday. I sincerely hope more friends of Henry will follow in your lead!

Posted in

Anna Sawin

Anna Sawin is a Connecticut-based portrait, wedding, and editorial photographer. She lives in the shoreline town of Stonington with her family and has discovered the perfect cupcake. Just ask, she is willing to share her secret.

23 Comments

  1. B. on April 18, 2008 at 8:18 am

    I’m in…how can I donate?

  2. Anna on April 18, 2008 at 8:32 am

    You already did, sweetie! 🙂

  3. Anna on April 18, 2008 at 8:33 am

    Here’s the link if anyone missed it:

    http://www.marchforbabies.org/s_team_page.asp?SeId=509254&si=

  4. Molly on April 18, 2008 at 8:37 am

    Donated! For all the future Henrys out there. xoxo

  5. Molly on April 18, 2008 at 8:39 am

    You might want to check out this photographer’s blog http://nicolegreenphoto.blogspot.com/

    In between the wedding stuff she’s being doing a beautiful piece on babies in the NICU.

  6. thelandofka on April 18, 2008 at 9:36 am

    Our daycare had a “walk” for the kids that we already donated to, as that is their pet charity. 🙂 It is a great cause. Looks like you got some donations, so I’m looking forward to seeing the picture. 😉

  7. Ellen on April 18, 2008 at 9:42 am

    Everytime I see pictures of Henry I think what a little miracle he is. May the sun shine for your walk.
    I’m so glad no one took a picture of me walking with my fanny pak on, my daughter-in-law would have disowned me for sure. xoxo

  8. elizabethews on April 18, 2008 at 10:45 am

    Done! Where’s the picture! 🙂

  9. sdh on April 18, 2008 at 12:31 pm

    ha ha ha! i can’t wait to see that picture. we will totally donate, as we were both preemies. go team henry!

  10. Kate on April 18, 2008 at 1:33 pm

    As the proud auntie of Henry (and Will) I will vouch for the impressive picture promised. It is well worth any donation!

  11. Jess K. on April 18, 2008 at 5:22 pm

    Ooooh goody. I’m in, and you know the very word “purse” makes me giggle so I can’t wait!!!

  12. Rush and Sarah on April 18, 2008 at 6:28 pm

    Check! Thanks, Anna, for the reminder to do this. We’re all so lucky to have a healthy Henry!

  13. christine on April 18, 2008 at 7:05 pm

    I donated in honor of Henry and my son Kel, who stayed in the very same NICU bay as Henry at L&M just a few months later. Here’s to your health and joy, boys.

  14. Laura on April 18, 2008 at 7:59 pm

    we really are SO LUCKY to have such great health care providers like the ones lucky little Henry had take care of him! .. Such a great cause!

  15. Christina on April 18, 2008 at 9:18 pm

    I have made a donation! Henry is a hero….just like all the other amazing babies that have survived and flourished and beathen the odds.

    Can’t wait for the photo!

  16. my minivan is faster than yours on April 19, 2008 at 12:33 am

    I can look back on pics of Colin from his NICU days as a 32 weeker where he looks shockingly similar to Henry, but for some reason, looking at these pics of other little ones just makes my heart ache.

    Still glad you posted them, though. You know I’ve got those preemie pics up on my site, too. GO HENRY!!

  17. Toonsis on April 19, 2008 at 2:51 pm

    We donated too! The site took a long time to process the donation – hopefully that means because they were real busy with donations…yahoo! Henry this one is for you bud! You make us all proud! Thanks Anna too!…so how large is that photo going to be posted : )

  18. carrievoris on April 19, 2008 at 4:01 pm

    We donated, too! So we get more than 1 photo, right?
    Go Team!!! We will be rooting for you – and hooray for Henry and all the other little ones that have pulled through and turned out to be such amazing kids!

    Sooooo close to the $2,000….

  19. Maya on April 20, 2008 at 1:25 pm

    I’ll have to go check this out! Henry is so blessed to have such great people care for him!

  20. Stephanie on April 20, 2008 at 3:15 pm

    What a great cause – especially for your family. I walked the March of Dimes a few years ago, and it was wonderful. Henry’s a lucky guy.

    I cannot wait to see that photo!

  21. EIS on April 21, 2008 at 10:25 am

    A great cause and a great team! We just donated, and the team is SO CLOSE to their goal! Thanks for getting the word out, Anna!

  22. baby names on May 11, 2008 at 2:04 am

    I donated, I wish I could do the walk.

  23. Something as simple as breathing « Hank & Willie on November 17, 2009 at 9:09 am

    […] And thank you to longtime Hank & Willie readers who have so kindly donated to the March of Dimes at my urging in the past. […]

Leave a Comment





anna

Anna Sawin is a Connecticut-based portrait, wedding, and editorial photographer. She lives in the shoreline town of Stonington with her family and has discovered the perfect cupcake. Just ask, she is willing to share her secret.