February 3 - Dear Nicholas Sparks

Dear Mr. Sparks,

Mail delivery to our office is pretty exciting this time of year.  Governors and mayors from around the country are sending us proclamations for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness on April 19th, thanks to the efforts of CDH families who are writing and requesting them.

This arrived over the weekend:

North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory has proclaimed April 19, 2015 "Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Action Day" in our state.   Our governor is declaring that all citizens of our great state should take action to help these children on April 19th.

I think that's a good enough reason for you to help us raise awareness, isn't it?  :)    On top of the obvious reason that these babies need help and awareness.

NC is one of 11 states so far that has proclaimed April 19th for CDH Awareness.  Soon, we will have resolutions on Capitol Hill to make April "Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Month" for the forth year.

Our Awareness Committee Leader, Felecia Woodruff, is posting updates daily over at http://www.cdhactionday.org to keep the community updated and show them to get involved.  It takes a lot of people to make this day a success and we are so grateful for our volunteers, members and supporters who have a passion to help these children and take action.

Our voice is still small but we are growing louder and louder each year and someday soon, our cause will be heard.  We invite you to help us not only speak, but to roar for these children.

Sincerely,
Dawn M. Torrence Williamson
Determined CDH mom

January 12 - Dear Nicholas Sparks

Dear Mr. Sparks,

Today I'm at the office juggling about a dozen projects.  This isn't very different from any other day but January begins the hectic season of preparing for April 19th, Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Action Day.   All of April is "Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Month" per the United States Senate and the House (we're still working on getting through all 3 branches... maybe this year!).

We do a lot raise awareness of CDH, especially during this month, and we work with many other CDH organizations worldwide. 

Last year, our families at CHERUBS convinced a majority of our governors to proclaim April 19th a "Day of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness", as well as dozens of mayors.   We had buildings light up including the Superdome and CN Tower and billboards in several cities.  Our incredible volunteers and members did all this with April 19th happening to fall on Easter weekend.  This year, we hope to do much, much more.

 

(click to see full size)

Credit for much of this goes to our Awareness Committee Leader, Felecia Woodruff (mom to CDH survivor, Bryson) and a team of very dedicated families who worked hard to rally the troops.   Felecia come on as leader in January of last year when the seat opened and nothing had been done (we start in months in advance usually).  Not only did she pick up all the slack left behind but excelled and led us to many, many achievements.   Already before January 1, 2015 we have several state proclamations ready to be announced and many other things planned.   The babies are counting on us to raise awareness and we won't let them down!

All of our committees have great leaders that are volunteer moms, dads, grandparents and survivors.   I will talk more about them tomorrow.  :)

Today, I would like to share some amazing photos from our events the past few years for April 19th.

 April 19, 2013 events

 2014 Events, Lightings, Proclamations and more:

We are very excited about CDH awareness, but especially this year being our 20th year.  With new projects (including this blog) planned, we hope this is the breakthrough year for these children.

Sincerely,

Dawn M. Torrence Williamson

Determined Mom