Looking for Resources

[catsmeow]

Here's the situation: A former coworker of mine, who still lives in Amarillo, recently had to deliver her baby girl at 26 weeks while they were in Springfield, Mo. The baby is back up to her birth weight of 2lbs, 6oz, but as of yet, no one knows what kind of problems she might have, if any.

My friend is staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Springfield until the baby reaches "full term."

As you can imagine, this is not only emotionally difficult, but financially burdensome, as well. Friends and family have been making weekly weekend road trips to Springfield, and coworkers from her new workplace and her husband's have collected money to help them out.

I'm wondering if there are any kind of resources that also might be an option for someone in this situation. This is brand new to me.

I know March of Dimes raises money to prevent premature births and such, but I'm not sure of anything else, and I'm not sure of th role of Children's Miracle Network ... or anything else for that matter.

Anybody know anything in this area that I could check into?

Thanks, in advance, for any help you might have.l

[princessbaybay]

You might contact one of the "feel good" news reporters and get the city behind her in general.

If there was a bank account I would definitely donate...and I know a lot of other women that have had premature births would too.

[catsmeow]

That's a good idea with some potential. Hmmmmmm.

[marked]

Does she have a local church? If not, you might contact one you like, you never know when someone is looking for a cause. Or you might just call a few in Springfield.

You might check with nicu at BSA or NWTHS. Since our hospitals provide service for such a large area, they're used to parents who have to travel to be here.

From an emotional standpoint, all the stories you can find of low birth weight babies who are now thriving, help immensely.

[catsmeow]

Those are good ideas, too ... I'm working on it.