2025 Promise Walks

Why I Walk

In February 2018, I delivered my first born, at 29 weeks and 1 day gestation age. He was 11 weeks early. He weighed 2 pounds, and 1 ounce, and measured 38 cm long. I can't remember what he looked like on the day of his birth, because I barely saw him for seconds before they wheeled him out of the OR and down the hall to the NICU. Because I was still critical, and he was critical, I couldn't visit him and he couldn't visit me. I only saw photos of him for his first 2 days of life. I was discharged a week after delivery, but spent the next 8 weeks after in the NICU with him, before he came home.

The 2 days leading up to his birth were traumatizing and I'm grateful there were people on my medical team who ensured both of our lives were saved (I had a close call). I had heard of preeclampsia, but it never occured that it could happen to me. I didn't know all of the signs or symptoms. Working in healthcare, I knew enough to keep asking questions. I'm chairing this walk because, if you are pregnant, there is a possibility that you could get preeclampsia. The more you know, the more you advocate for yourself, the better your chance of survival. Also, why do we not know what causes this? The money raised from this walk helps to fund research to answer these questions, and to help support those in the thick of it.

Thank you for your support. I hope to see you out there!

Kristen Merchant

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Why I Walk

$166.50

achieved

$100.00

goal

of your goal reached

My Supporters

My Teammates

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