Jake, Josh & March for Babies 2012

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Dear Jake & Josh fans,

Ten years. Can you believe it? On May 11, Jake and Josh turn 10.

But let’s shift the focus a bit. Think instead about how far medicine has come in the last 10 years, about how many more things – more amazing things – can be done in NICUs today than when Jake & Josh were there.

We were reminded of this recently by an OB-GYN who heard our story for the first time. While she was awed by the basics (twins born 17 weeks premature, each weighing 18 ounces, both spending seven months in the NICU … both perfectly healthy today), she was impressed this happened a decade ago. She was just starting her practice then, so she understands how much better equipment, drugs and research are today.

As parents, we take immense pride in Jake & Josh’s story. As March of Dimes volunteers, we take pride in knowing our organization is leading the push for those advancements. And, we’d like to think the money raised by our Aron Family Team is helping.

It’s time to try adding to that total, as the 2012 March for Babies event is a month from today, April 21. This will be our eighth trip around White Rock Lake and we’d love for you to join us as a walker, donor or both. Here’s the link to our team’s website: http://bit.ly/AronFamilyTeam-donate.

If you’ve given before, we’d appreciate your support again.

If you’ve never given, how about $10 in honor of our 10-year milestone?

If Stephen Colbert can raise more than $1 million for a fake run at the presidency, hopefully we can reach our goal of $5,000 to save the lives of real babies.

Enough of the business part. Let’s get to the fun part, our annual update.

Jake & Josh are in third grade, which is big-boy stuff at their school: “Upper Elementary.” They are looking forward to another season of baseball on the Angels and will soon embark on the final campout for their Y Guides group, the mighty Thunder Chargers. They take a class at Dallas Children’s Theater and Josh loves taking piano lessons; “Soak Up The Sun” and “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” are his specialties. Jake still plays guitar and sings, and doesn’t see the need for formal training. … Zac is in seventh grade, and is becoming both a better baseball player and more hooked on the game; funny how those things go together. … The quantity and quality of our family time has gone way up since Jaime switched jobs. It’s been everything we hoped for, and more. We’ve also added a family member: YoYo, a 1-year-old terrier mix with the endearing tendency of lifting only her right ear when looking at you.

In our March of Dimes news, our footprint business cards were used by local Macy’s stores as part of a national campaign that raised $2.74 million dollars; you can see the cards on our website. Also, Jaime was the chairman of “Breakfast With A Champion,” which featured Mavericks luminaries Rick Carlisle, Donnie Nelson, Roland Blackman, Derek Harper and the NBA championship trophy; the event raised more than $160,000 and a good time was had by all. We also had the pleasure of representing the March of Dimes in a ride over Fort Worth on the Farmers Airship, a blimp-like Zeppelin; the Morning News went along too. … One final link is to the national 2012 March for Babies promotional video - because it's well made .. and because at the 2:05 mark, it features the NASCAR designed by Jake & Josh.

Thanks again for all you’ve done for us, the March of Dimes and the fight to give every baby a healthy start.

Love,

Lori, Jaime, Zac, Jake, Josh (and YoYo)

http://bit.ly/AronFamilyTeam-donate