Ava Christine Zimmerman: Memorial Blood Drive A Success!

Friday, August 15, 2008

Memorial Blood Drive A Success!

Thank you to the 75 people that showed up on July 29th to donate bood in memory of Ava. The South Bend Medical Foundation said they can't remember a time when so many people showed up for a drive. We were hoping to get forty people and they had to add staff and start an hour earlier to accomodate everyone! However, only 45 people (or 60%) were able to actually donate. Many were deferred for various reasons such as, 90 degree temperature, high/low blood pressure, open sores, low iron, etc. The Medical Foundation staff said this is normal especially because of the number of first time donars that arrived. Early in the day they told us not to be disappointed with the number of people who could not donate. They explained that it would be a success if 50% in attendance gave blood. So we were happy with the results and intend to make Ava's Memorial Blood Drive an annual event! Hope you can all join us again next year and we should all be more informed about the procedures to donate. We were especially glad to have sponsored the event as my grandma went into the hospital the very next day and needed two units of blood. Thank you for giving to or community!

Several of you have asked about the Walk in Ann Arbor in September. It is actually a one mile fun run. I had hoped to plan a nice event with matching T-shirts and a picnic lunch to follow. We were hoping several of Ava's followers could join us to support Mott Hospital's Pediatric Heart Unit. However, we are going to postpone this celebration until next year. I found out after the blood drive that I am just not ready yet. It was very rewarding to sponsor the event but also very emotional on Ava's 10 month birthday. So I know I will be a mess in September since she would have almost been one year old at the time of the run. I think it's better if we just go as a family this year. I know that you all understand and we would be honored if some of you would consider joining us next year for the event. Maybe then we can enjoy it a little bit, too. The run is on September 28th (one day before Ava's birthday) and if you would like to help us raise money for the event you can send it to us (email me if you don't know the address). The money we raise will go to Mott Children's Hospital where Ava lived her entire life.

Thanks again everyone! Jamie and I would be lost without you. "Good friends are like Angels, you don't have to see them to know they are there!"

Heart Hugs!

14 comments:

Kylie said...: Glad to hear the blood drive was such a huge success!! It was my first time giving blood. I was nervous which is silly, it was so easy. Thank you for doing such a wonderful thing, I know Ava is so proud of you all.
We will be thinking about you this September, I can only imagine how hard it will be for you. Sending prayers and strength your way.

Take care,
The Meek's; 16 August, 2008
Anonymous said...: I haven't visited this blog in so long and just doing so has made me so emotional. I can only imagine what you all continue to go through on a day-to-day basis. I think of you so often. If there is anything I can do to make your first months of school easier please let me know (even though I know you won't! Stubborn!)

Love,
Emilee; 17 August, 2008
Ang said...: I am so sorry I have been so slow to get a thank you note out to you. I will try tonight. We absolutely love the t-shirts and photo album. The picture of the whole group went in a frame right away! We are so happy to see you guys had such a great time. I was hoping to call and chat this weekend, if that is ok. matt is in utah right now so it is a bit crazy here. I hope all is well and you guys are having a great end of your summer. Can't wait to see you guys in fall.
Love
ang; 19 August, 2008
Ang said...: Just wanted to let you know we are thinking about you. Hope you are having a great week and grams is feeling better.
Ang; 21 August, 2008
Anonymous said...: You will continue be in my thoughts and prayers, especially on the 20th and 29th of September.
You continue to amaze me with all that you have taken on and continue to give. I continue to learn from each of you.

Emily W.; 26 August, 2008
Ang said...: just wanted to say good morning! hope you have a restful labor day weekend.
love
ang; 29 August, 2008
Paula Leflar said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 02 September, 2008
Ang said...: Greetings from Florida. We will be up north the 10th-21st. Hope we can get together. hugs to all
Ang; 06 September, 2008
Anonymous said...: Oh my gosh, my angel ava christine! I did not know I could still keep in contact with you, other than in my heart! I come and see you as much as I can. We think of you every single day and night. You are in our dreams. I have a special place for you, not just in my heart, but in my garden. I will do anything I can to be a part of you and what is in your name. I was even afraid they would not take my blood. But they did! If I am not at your run, I will be here walking in my heart for you. But I will really try and make it. I feel so much better being a part of you again. Your mom made my day when she told me I can blog still!
Sweet dreams
granny and poppy; 16 September, 2008
Ang said...: Hope you guys are not too water logged!
Ang; 16 September, 2008
Anonymous said...: Jame, who all is going to Ann Arbor? Mark and I would like to go if we can get off work. Let me know.
Trace; 16 September, 2008
Ang said...: Just wanted to let you know that we are thinking of you. Hugs to all the Weaver-Zimmerman clan.
Ang; 25 September, 2008
Ang said...: As always you are in our prayers. May you find peace today.
Love
Ang; 29 September, 2008
Anonymous said...: Thinking of you guys today with hugs and prayers... (it was so good to see you and Brayden the other day!!)
Holly; 29 September, 2008

Post a Comment

It's A Girl!

Hello everyone and welcome to Ava Christine's Blog.
First a little info about the new edition to our family.
This beautiful little girl comes to our family after many years of trying on her parents part as well as her being the first girl in 19 years. Yes 19 years! So to say that she is going to be a little spoiled is putting it very lightly.
Ava Christine was welcomed into this world on September 29 2007 by her mommy Jamie, Daddy Jamie, big brother Brayden, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and numerous friends. Shortly after Ava's arrival the wonderful medical staff at Memorial hospital of South Bend found what they called a murmur in Ava's heart. After some testing little Ava was transported to Motts' Children Hospital at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Jamie and Jamie were informed that little Ava has a heart defect that could be life threatening and that she needed to undergo open heart surgery to fix the defects. So, on Tuesday October 2 2007 Ava was operated on by the wonderful medical staff at the U of M. What this team of doctors did to Ava is incredible. First of all Jamie explained to me over the phone today just what problems Ava's heart has endured. Ava's heart has a couple of different problems. The first is known as Interrupted Aortic Arch. The following info about interrupted aortic arch is best explained by the U of M Cardiac website, "Interrupted aortic arch is a very rare heart defect that occurs when the aorta does not develop normally while the baby is in the mother’s womb. It comprises about 1% of all congenital heart defects. It usually occurs along with other heart problems such as truncus arteriosus, ventricular septal defect, transposition of the great arteries, and aortic stenosis.The aorta is the large blood vessel that arises from the left side of the normal heart and takes red blood out to the body. The first part of the aorta, called the ascending aorta (1) arises upwards. It then curves leftward forming the aortic arch (2). The aorta then curves downward towards the lower body, and this part is called the descending aorta (3). Three blood vessels exit from the aortic arch and supply the head and arms with red blood. These vessels are called the innominate artery (4), the left carotid artery (5), and the left subclavian artery (6).In babies with interrupted aortic arch, there is a complete blockage between the ascending and the descending aorta (1). This means that there is no direct way for red blood leaving the heart to reach the body parts that are "downstream" from the blockage. The site of the defect varies (2) and may or may not involve the take-off of the head and neck vessels. In most babies with interrupted aortic arch (70-90%) there is also a large ventricular septal defect (3).In newborns with interrupted aortic arch, the only way for blood to bypass the blockage is via the patent ductus arteriosus (4). Prior to birth, this small blood vessel permits blood to by-pass the baby’s fluid-filled lungs. One or two days after birth, this vessel usually closes on its own. In a baby with interrupted aortic arch, if the duct closes, blood can no longer reach the lower body. This can cause the baby to suddenly become very ill. Therefore, after the diagnosis is made, a medicine called prostaglandin is used to keep the ductus arteriosus open until surgery". (http://www.med.umich.edu/cvc/mchc/parint.htm)
So how did the doctors fix this? "Interrupted aortic arch is a serious heart defect that requires surgery soon after birth. The goal of surgery is to create remove the blockage. This used to be done in a two-stage operation but is now done most of the time in one stage. The two ends of the aorta are sewn together (1) and the patent ductus arterious (2) is tied off. Sometimes a patch is needed to reinforce the repair. If present, a patch is sewn over the VSD (3)". (http://www.med.umich.edu/cvc/mchc/parint.htm)
In #1 of the picture below is the part of Ava' heart that was repaired.