Sunday was Parents of Preemies Day, with events scheduled all over the country. One was held here in Toledo at Health REIT.
Parents and families of premature babies need the love and support of those who can understand what they are going through.
Graham's Foundation does exactly that - it brings together families who can relate to the struggles and triumphs along the journey of having a premature child.
Max Bucher is almost three, but has battled health problems from his premature birth. His father Matt says, "He battled through most of the adversity that preemie babies do: underdeveloped lungs, of course they're undersized and lots of transfusions."
Support from friends and family helped his parents through Max's 89 days spent in the hospital. Matt Bucher says Graham's Foundation has helped them cope.
Eric McPartland, executive director of Graham's Foundation, said this year they are using social media to bring people together across the country and around the world.
"We have people telling their stories on our Facebook page and we will have a Twitter event from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. People can use the hashtag #parentsofpreemiesday to connect to use," McPartland said.
Jennifer Hall started Graham's foundation in memory of her son. In 2006, she delivered premature twins at only six weeks. Baby girl Reese survived, but sadly Graham did not.
Her husband Nick says, "I thought, wouldn't it be wonderful to have parents who are going through it and have been through it get together and commiserate and share different experiences they're going through?"
You can learn more about Parents Of Preemies Day and Graham's Foundation by clicking on the links below.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:32 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:32:52 GMT
We've been following their journeys since the fall: 170 contestants fighting for the title of Extreme Weight Loss Champion. Now it's time for the crowning moment! 13abc's Kelly Heidbreder introduces us
We've been following their journeys since the fall: 170 contestants fighting for the title of Extreme Weight Loss Champion. Now it's time for the crowning moment! 13abc's Kelly Heidbreder introduces us to this year's winner…Robin Chlebowski!
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:20 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:20:37 GMT
If a tornado threatens, get into the basement. If you don't have a basement, a small, interior room in the lowest floor of your home is relatively safe. Avoid rooms with windows. Mobile homes are not safe in a tornado.
If a tornado threatens, get into the basement. If you don't have a basement, a small, interior room in the lowest floor of your home is relatively safe. Avoid rooms with windows. Mobile homes are not safe in a tornado.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:10 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:10:38 GMT
More jobs may be on the way at the old Jeep plant. One company has announced it will open business there and others are now interested in the site. At one time, 40,000 people worked at the site just
The 111-acre Overland Industrial park broke ground on a new road that will lead to construction of buildings to house new businesses.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:08 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:08:56 GMT
A Toledo family who moved to Moore less than a year ago only had minutes to take cover. "Its devastation buildings are ripped down families lost their homes houses are flattened." It's been a difficult
A local woman who moved to Moore Oklahoma almost a year ago survives a deadly tornado. 21 year old Kristina Legree says the twister touched down a mile for her home.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:06:15 GMT
Safety at our local elementary schools is on the minds of parents after a deadly tornado ripped through schools in Moore, Oklahoma on Monday. Many schools in our area do not have basements. We spent the
Safety at our local elementary schools is on the minds of parents after a deadly tornado ripped through schools in Moore, Oklahoma on Monday.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:08 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:08:56 GMT
A Toledo family who moved to Moore less than a year ago only had minutes to take cover. "Its devastation buildings are ripped down families lost their homes houses are flattened." It's been a difficult
A local woman who moved to Moore Oklahoma almost a year ago survives a deadly tornado. 21 year old Kristina Legree says the twister touched down a mile for her home.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:32 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:32:52 GMT
We've been following their journeys since the fall: 170 contestants fighting for the title of Extreme Weight Loss Champion. Now it's time for the crowning moment! 13abc's Kelly Heidbreder introduces us
We've been following their journeys since the fall: 170 contestants fighting for the title of Extreme Weight Loss Champion. Now it's time for the crowning moment! 13abc's Kelly Heidbreder introduces us to this year's winner…Robin Chlebowski!
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:20 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:20:37 GMT
If a tornado threatens, get into the basement. If you don't have a basement, a small, interior room in the lowest floor of your home is relatively safe. Avoid rooms with windows. Mobile homes are not safe in a tornado.
If a tornado threatens, get into the basement. If you don't have a basement, a small, interior room in the lowest floor of your home is relatively safe. Avoid rooms with windows. Mobile homes are not safe in a tornado.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:10 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:10:38 GMT
More jobs may be on the way at the old Jeep plant. One company has announced it will open business there and others are now interested in the site. At one time, 40,000 people worked at the site just
The 111-acre Overland Industrial park broke ground on a new road that will lead to construction of buildings to house new businesses.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:06:15 GMT
Safety at our local elementary schools is on the minds of parents after a deadly tornado ripped through schools in Moore, Oklahoma on Monday. Many schools in our area do not have basements. We spent the
Safety at our local elementary schools is on the minds of parents after a deadly tornado ripped through schools in Moore, Oklahoma on Monday.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:33 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:33:57 GMT
The Toledo area has a long history of tornados. Here is video from nearly 50 years ago. On April 11, 1965 - Palm Sunday - a series of twisters hit Ohio, killing 18 people locally. We are now nearing
We are nearing the three year anniversary of the June tornado outbreak in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan that killed seven people.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:18 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:18:53 GMT
A suspended TPS teacher charged with receiving, distributing and possessing child pornography has pleaded guilty to receiving child porn on his home computer. Bruce Omlor, 49, was suspended from Riverside
A suspended TPS teacher charged with receiving, distributing and possessing child pornography has pleaded guilty to receiving child porn on his home computer. Bruce Omlor, 49, was suspended from Riverside Elementary earlier this year.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:12 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:12:54 GMT
The Putnam County teen accused of killing two Ottawa brothers appeared in court Tuesday afternoon. Michael Fay, 17, is charged with aggravated murder. Fay was arraigned on two counts of aggravated murder
The Putnam County teen accused of killing two Ottawa brothers appeared in court Tuesday afternoon. Michael Fay, 17, is charged with aggravated murder.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:11 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:11:44 GMT
A Lucas County sheriff's deputy was arrested Tuesday. Deputy Paul Little was charged with filing false reports, unlawful transfer of a firearm to a convicted felon, and intimidation of a witness. Little
A Lucas County sheriff's deputy was arrested Tuesday. Deputy Paul Little was charged with filing false reports, unlawful transfer of a firearm to a convicted felon, and intimidation of a witness.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:10 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:10:03 GMT
The devastation in Oklahoma seems almost unimaginable. Hundreds of miles away, here in Northwest Ohio, the one question on many people's mind is: "how can we help?" Local Red Cross leaders are coordinating
Local Red Cross leaders are asking for support to help tornado victims in Oklahoma. You can make a $10 donation by texting REDCROSS, to 90999. Visit www.redcross.org to donate online or call 1-800 RED CROSS.
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