Generous Hearts and Wholesome Actions

It is worth reminding ourselves that what brings us the greatest joy and satisfaction in life are those actions we undertake out of concern for others. Indeed we can go further. For whereas the fundamental questions of human existence, such as why we are here, where we are going, and whether the universe had a beginning, have each elicited different responses in different philosophical traditions, it is self-evident that a generous heart and wholesome actions lead to greater peace. --Dalai Lama

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The above quote from the Dalai Lama reminded me of our members at Breath of Hope

When new members join - we know that they too have been affected by the birth defect Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia and know the devastation, the joy and the struggle having a child in their lives who struggles to survive CDH. We cheer their triumphs, we worry and our tears fall with each family. It is hard watching others go through what you have gone through too. Sometimes our members need to take a break from it all - but there are always others to step forward and give encouragement. All of us with different backgrounds, some from other countries who join together with generous hearts and wholesome actions help.

And all of us together to bring Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness TM to the world, one step at a time.

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia AwarenessTM on MySpace

http://www.myspace.com/cdhawareness

If you are a MySpace user - and want to help support Breath of Hope www.breathofhopeinc.com and Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness TM ~ please feel free to visit!

Thank you!

We are thankful for medical professionals who dedicate their lives to help our families. We are thankful to the Governors and States that have issued the Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia AwarenessTM Day Proclamations. We are thankful for our supporters, members, friends, families, donors and most of all - our children.

Spreading Awareness on the Morning News!

One of our members, Despina, her dear husband and her smiling son, Mason were interviewed for this story - on how parents of NICU children are so Thankful for NICUs!
http://www.13wham.com/content/news/thismorning/story.aspx?content_id=ccf6baaa-6ad7-48dd-8c80-bd07f749b6e0

If you click on congenital diaphragmatic hernia - it links to http://www.breathofhopeinc.com/

This has made my Thanksgiving!

Doing for Others is Immortal

What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal. --Albert Pike

To give of yourself and sacrifice for others so that their troubles are less - is more rewarding than shopping for a new electronic component or clothing. When we give, we gain and we in turn contribute to community and society to make it better.

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia AwarenessTM ~ How to Help!

If you want to help, go to our website at www.breathofhopeinc.com

There is a tab that will take you to Awareness information. We have a sample letter and Sample Proclamations to send to Mayors and Governors. Please note that we have had the following states Proclaim March 31, 2008 Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness DayTM:

Mississippi
Iowa
Virginia - to be issued in January 2008
Maine
New Hampshire - to be issued in the coming weeks
Missouri
Nebraska
Pennsylvania

We have also had the following cities:

Charlotte, North Carolina
Cincinnati, Ohio

Please don't think you can not help if your state or city is listed - this is going to be an ongoing grass roots effort! I am even starting in my area to coordinate events and activities to be done so more people are AWARE! Each person I speak with - is aware now! Raising awareness can be a slow process - but if we all ban together to do this - it WILL be done.

Tony - this is for you - I would be happy to send you the documents - please contact us at:

cdhawareness@breathofhopeinc.com or elizabeth@breathofhopeinc.com

Thank you!
Every Breath They Take Is Our Breath of Hope

Just Do It....And we ARE!

You are to become a creator, not a competitor; you are going to get what you want, but in such a way that when you get it every other man will have more than he has now. --Wallace Wattles

I liked this. Several ideas for Breath of Hope have been created - and that is the intent to push forward with our written materials, our published materials and spread Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia AwarenessTM.

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Tribute

Carrie, Noah's Mommy made the following slide show - we all think it is beautiful - but grab a tissue!

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=40d3062b7fe1eee0a84b16&skin_id=1602&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url

TODAY 5 BABIES WILL BE DIAGNOSED

Today almost 5 families in the United States alone will receive the devastating news that their unborn child will have to fight for its life. They have been diagnosed with a potentially fatal birth defect called a congenital diaphragmatic hernia. A congenital diaphragmatic hernia is where the diaphragm in development does not completely close in an unborn baby and organs migrate to the thorax which under normal circumstances is where the heart and developing lungs are located. This defect has a profound impact on lung function.

Thirty-five (35) families a week. One hundred thirty-three (133) families a month. 1800 families a year. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia occurs just as often as spina bifia and cystic fibrois yet most do not hear of it until their child is diagnosed.

It doesn't just affect the baby, the mother and the father – it affects the whole family and the entire community. This baby will need Intensive Medical Care at a level three NICU with ECMO. The medical bills will total hundreds of thousands and quite often, millions of dollars. These are million dollar babies. The care to save their lives depletes blood supplies at local blood banks – one infant required 6 gallons of blood and blood product in 38 days. Some families will be financially depleted due to the long term care of these children or other costs associated with one or both parents without a job. Without benefits, Medicaid takes over and covers costs. Some families require state and government assistance for short periods of time. This has an effect on communities. Some insurance companies have "Lifetime Caps" and these children reach them very quickly. These children require insurance to provide the therapy they need so that they can accelerate and thrive.

What can you do to help save these babies? What will help these families? What can you do to make a difference?

1. Learn about congenital diaphragmatic hernias.
2. Donate blood regularly, if you can, to your local blood centers to help ensure all patients receive the blood they need.
3. If you know a family affected by CDH, tell them of Breath of Hope –we are here if they need us.
4. If you are looking for a cause to help with – we would welcome your assistance!
5. Wear turquoise on March 31, 2008 for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia AwarenessTM Day! When someone asks what it's for – tell them!

written entirely by Elizabeth Doyle-Propst 10/24/2007

www.breathofhopeinc.com is FULLY UP!

Our website is now fully up!

We would like to add a page with all the Proclamations we have had signed by Governors of States and Mayors and a page with more links!

I have had people outside of BoH comment, "Very professionally done." "Awesome." One of the IT guys at work told me, "You all could show me a thing or two!"

Thank you Stacy - you truly did everyone justice - and we can tell by the beauty of the website!