By: Casey Hamilton
Kennedy Marie Thompson is a happy, active, inquisitive baby who loves watching other children and enjoys emulating their behavior. The fact that she is laid back and easy going is a direct contradiction to how she entered the world- frighteningly early.
Born on March 6, 2012, at just 32 weeks’ gestation, Kennedy was immediately placed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at (then) Owensboro Medical Health System. She required oxygen, a feeding tube, and was jaundiced. Eventually when it was time to wean her from the feeding tube, anemia prevented Kennedy from having the strength to nurse a bottle long enough to gain the nutrition she needed. After 52 long days in the NICU, Kennedy was allowed to go home.
As she sits in her dad’s lap and plays with the balloons from her 1st birthday party, Kennedy’s parents, Jenifer and Nick Thompson, proudly share with me that Kennedy is a healthy one year old with no signs of developmental delays or medical concerns. This miracle is largely due to the research conducted by the March of Dimes that led to the medication, surfactant, which helps premature babies’ lungs mature more quickly. Kennedy was given Surfactant as part of her treatment.
This year, Kennedy and her parents are serving as the Ambassador Family for the March of Dimes March for Babies. The walk, scheduled to take place on April 27th, is the key fundraiser for the local organization. Although the local March of Dimes office is located in Owensboro, it actually covers the “Green River” division. Amy Nonweiler, Division Director, explains that a portion of the money raised at the event will go toward community grants and program services such as prenatal classes, which provide materials for expectant mothers. Anyone in Daviess, Henderson, Hopkins, Ohio and other surrounding counties may benefit from these programs. “When you walk in March for Babies, you give hope to the more than half a million babies born too soon each year. The money you raise supports programs in your community that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies and it funds research to find answers to the problems that threaten our babies.”
The march, which takes walkers on a two-mile route, also includes a “fun lap” for those unable to walk the two miles. After the walk lunch will be provided, with food donated by Rally’s, Frito Lay, and Coca- Cola Bottling Co. Walkers will also be able to take advantage of a special treat, donated by The Cup Cakery and Cold Stone Creamery. A bounce house and exciting activities for children means you can include the whole family in this activity, while also showing your children an excellent example of giving to others! As an added bonus, there will be giveaways as well.
Nick and Jenifer are so grateful to the March of Dimes, and Jenifer says, “Having a premature baby really opened our hearts to the March of Dimes organization and we knew we wanted to get involved somehow. When the opportunity to become the Ambassador Family was presented to us, we couldn’t turn it down!” The couple also praises the staff at OMHS, especially Kennedy’s neonatologist, Dr. Bridget Burshears, and the nurses in the NICU. According to Nick, “It was a scary time, especially the first few days. But the nurses were there, answering questions and making us feel as comfortable as possible given the situation.” What the parents found especially difficult was leaving their child with strangers overnight and not being allowed to take her home like normal parents should be able to. But, Nick continues, “We got to know them and we knew that Kennedy was going to be in good hands.”