2023 Signature Chefs Feeding Motherhood Phoenix

In 2016, Bre’s water broke at 23 weeks, and she was on hospital bedrest until her son, Asher, was born at 29 weeks, weighing 2 lbs. 6 oz. He had severe chronic lung disease from prematurity. It was seven months before he was considered stable enough to have his own room in the NICU. He was transferred from the NICU to the PICU at 8 months old. (The $240 is for the 240 days Asher spent in the NICU). After 270 days, Asher was finally able to go home for the first time. He had a trach and a ventilator to breathe, a feeding tube to get nutrition while he was on too much breathing support to eat, and a port to administer medications quickly if he went into respiratory distress. Asher has faced many of the diagnoses and hurdles common to preemies. March of Dimes' research combined with modern medicine and the care Asher received offer a glimmer of hope during the family's long hospital stay.

Bre became a March of Dimes volunteer in 2017, serving as a Mission Mom. She was selected as a March of Dimes Gretchen Carlson Fellow and advocated for Arizona moms and babies in Washington, DC.

America is facing an urgent maternal and infant health crisis, but together we can end preventable maternal health risks and death, end preventable preterm birth, and close the health equity gap for every family. Donate today so that every family gets the best possible start.