We’re Fighting for Firsts
Each year, a group of dedicated community leaders join us for our Fighting for Firsts campaign as we aim to reduce infant mortality and improve birth outcomes in our region. The campaign culminates at our Fighting for Firsts dinner on November 3, which ushers in Prematurity Awareness Month and raises important funds for our mission. Funds raised will be used to support prenatal home visitation and other critical support services to high-risk pregnant Moms throughout Northeast Indiana to combat the infant mortality rate.
This year’s Fighting for Firsts Champions helped raise over $25,000! Each have an important “why” for participating in this campaign.
Gabriel Clark and his wife are blessed with two healthy baby girls and a strong support system, but he knows not everyone has the same opportunity. He’s fighting for firsts to provide others with the blessings that he has received in support, education, and medical care.
Cammy Sutter has focused her volunteerism over the past 20 years on women empowerment, and she’s honored to turn her focus towards expectant mothers and their babies. She’s fighting for firsts to help expectant mothers get the support and education they need.
Lakshmi Yalamanchali believes children are the foundation of our society and that keeping every baby safe and healthy is our responsibility. She is fighting for firsts to ensure every child, especially preterm babies, have access to all the resources and support they need to grow and be safe.
Allison Taladay has been passionate about helping mothers have healthy babies since she was a kid. Her mother was an OB nurse and shared heartbreaking stories about babies born too soon. She joined our board in January and is fighting for firsts to champion more families and the tiniest members of our community.
Holly Fogwell is a mother of three and has been blessed with an incredible support system. She is fighting for firsts for all our neighbors because every family deserves a support system of advocates and cheerleaders.
Kristin Smith believes that pregnancy and parenting resources shouldn’t be a privilege; they should be extended to all women and families. She is fighting for firsts as a #Girlmomx2 to support women during their pregnancy journey and beyond.
Becca and Justin Kaler’s firstborn son was a preemie, so they understand the need for community, care, and support. They are fighting for firsts so they can give back to parents in similar situations.
Wade Owen’s niece was born with a severe birth defect that required many surgeries and lots of time in the hospital over the first year of her life. Today, his niece is a healthy and thriving 11-year-old. He is fighting for firsts to see more outcomes like this.
Stephanie Sublett is an OB/GYN and is committed to giving back to her community and raising awareness about the crucial issue of infant mortality. She is fighting for firsts so that more babies in our community can celebrate their first birthdays.
Cori McKenzie is a social worker, wife, and mom of three (two on earth and one in their hearts). She is fighting for firsts because she has experienced the heartbreak of planning an infant funeral and wants to ensure that parents have the support they need to start on the best foundation possible.
Will you help us fight for firsts? You can help by making a donation to our campaign: https://one.bidpal.net/fightingforfirsts23/browse/donation