Joe's Journal

January 1, 2005

As the clock struck midnight last night and I kissed Linda Happy New Year, my first thought was "What have I gotten myself into??" After a year of planning my marathon project to benefit the March of Dimes, it has suddenly become a reality. My first race is this month! At least I chose Miami to begin since I have somewhat of an aversion to cold weather running, and Antarctica is next month.... But then all I have to do is remember the reason I'm doing this - to help a wonderful organization - an organization that's helped my family and that continues to help thousands of families today, but in a different way.

After helping to conquer polio, the March of Dimes reinvented itself and today addresses the issue of prematurity. As I write this, there are thousands of new parents taking shifts in Neonatal Intensive Care Units watching over their seriously ill babies - shifts that turn into weeks and many times months before they are able to bring their babies home. And even then, there are developmental challenges ahead for many preemies. At our local chapter board meetings, we begin each session with what we call a "Mission Moment" - a time when we remind ourselves why we're there. A new Mom and Dad, along with their baby, will tell their story about prematurity and how the March of Dimes helped them. Most of these stories have happy endings. What we don't hear often are the stories with sad endings - stories about the babies who don't make it home.

With one in eight babies born premature in America today, the March of Dimes needs the money I'm raising to continue research into why this occurs and what can be done to prevent it. Good prenatal care helps, but even that is no guarantee against prematurity.

So I begin this journey that will take me around the world for a beloved organization. I'll update this journal after each marathon and post a finish photo (hopefully!).

Over a hundred hours of flying, nearing two hundred miles of running, and what I know will be many challenges and unique experiences. But it'll be worth it if I can raise my $100,000 goal for the March of Dimes. I just wish my mother and father could be at the finish line.