Originally Posted by vivcrayton

As Prematurity Awareness Day nears, I’m becoming rather disheartened.

October 7, 2004 was a day that has forever changed my life. My son, Rivelino Lee Crayton, came into the world under the most dire of circumstances. He was born at 24 weeks 6 days and weighed...lbs. He put up a brave fight for his little life, but in the end God chose to take him to heaven. His precious little life gone, just as I was in awe of his presence within me. Needless to say, I am devastated. I am forever grateful for the time I was given with him, but my child, my son, was born too early and died too soon. Something a parent should never ever have to go through. But the reality of the matter is that not all preemies live. Parents that are left behind must find a way to go on...Some even find a new mission in life in trying to make their child's short life mean something. This is what I thought I found when I tried to volunteer for the March of Dimes.

After the loss of my son, Rivelino Lee Crayton, I tried for several months to volunteer with your organization. I was told repeatedly by people in your office that there were no “local” chapters in my area, despite my knowledge to the contrary. Fast forward to WalkAmerica 2005, where I met the woman in charge of my “local” chapter. I was told by her that my "local" chapter meets monthly in Rockville. I was so excited to be able to help! I gave her my contact information and waited with great anticipation for a phone call. Unfortunately, months passed ...no phone call...nothing. My efforts in trying to volunteer with the March of Dimes have been futile.

Finally, after I left several voicemails for her, I was finally given the courtesy of return phone call. She told me that the chapter was making plans for Prematurity Awareness Day, and that she’d be in touch with me about a dinner at the end of August. I still haven’t heard anything and it is now almost the middle of September.

She also mentioned that MOD is always looking for ambassador families. From the way I’ve been brushed off by your organization, it’s becoming very clear that you only desire ambassadors with living children. It seems to me that your message would have a much larger impact if you didn’t brush aside the thousands of preemies who die every year due to prematurity. Your marketing campaign includes living preemies – perhaps people might incited to do more if they realized that not all preemies live. It should be this fact, that should inspire others to give so that no other family has to go through what I did last year. This is proven by the donations I received during Walkamerica in memory of my son, Rivelino. But how can I continue to give even more if I am not being called upon to volunteer, even after offering time and time again! This is just very sad.

The reason I wanted to volunteer with your organization so badly is to give some sort of meaning to my son’s brief life. I think it’s awful that an organization that deals with families of premature babies lacks compassion and understanding, especially for those who have gone through a loss. I would have been willing to do anything to help – pass out flyers, stuff envelopes, knock on doors – but I was not welcomed.

I will continue to walk in WalkAmerica, but I’ll do it in another state so they get credit for my fundraising. This battle is too important for me not to fight it, I am very disappointed in your organization.