How can a teacher affect children and families in Anderson before they ever start school? For Julia Clardy, it’s through labors of love for the March of Dimes.
Clardy, a teacher at Palmetto Elementary School in Williamston, knows what it’s like to be the recipient of generosity and kindness. Her own family has benefitted from March of Dimes support, so she decided to spearhead several events to help return the favor.
Clardy’s son, Lawson, was born at 23 weeks with several medical challenges. Little Lawson weighed 1 pound, 7 ounces and was only 11 inches long — the length of a pencil. He had a hole in his intestines, which required resection surgery and a temporary ostomy bag, and he had a feeding tube inserted in his belly for nutrition. Other complications included a small hole in his heart, Cytomegalovirus viral infection, and Retinopathy of Prematurity, an eye disorder.
“Julia didn’t have all those complications with her first child’s birth,” said Brantley Reames, Senior Director of Donor Development for March of Dimes in Anderson. “When a baby like Lawson is born so early, families can be overwhelmed with stress and worry. We work with parents to help them understand the environment of care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.”
Lawson was in the NICU for 133 days. During that time, the March of Dimes supported the Clardy family through his surgeries and therapies, providing information and encouragement. Knowing you’re not alone in your journey can be a huge emotional help, according to Reames.
Part of the care that Lawson and the Clardy’s received was through NICU Family Support Program, established through March of Dimes. Now approaching its 20th anniversary, the program does just what it says…provides the unique support from a dedicated staff person who is there for the NICU families every step of the way.
Today, Lawson is a happy, healthy two-year-old. He has a few conditions that will likely improve with time, but he’s doing very well. The support Clardy and her family received in those earliest weeks inspired her to help raise money for the March of Dimes through several events at Palmetto Elementary School.
For example, the school had Penny Wars during which each classroom got points for coins or dollars deposited in donation containers. There was Superheroes for Babies Day, which featured some amazing teacher costumes, a Balloon Pop and Purple-Out Day, where everyone was encouraged to wear the official color of the March of Dimes.
One big fundraiser was Pencils and Popsicles for Preemies. For only a dollar, students could buy a purple pencil (the size of newborn Lawson) or a popsicle in the cafeteria.
“We are so grateful for enthusiastic parents like Julia,” said Reames. “Lots of people can collect donations—and we appreciate them all—but when you personally understand the impact those donations can have, it’s just more special for everyone.”
Clardy and her school raised more than $5,000 for the March of Dimes. For her, giving back is an important part of community living in South Carolina. By raising funds for March of Dimes, she’s standing up to protect families throughout their pregnancies by eliminating health inequities, improving access to health care, and ending preventable preterm birth and maternal death. And those dollars are funding vital research that benefit all families.
“He’s definitely our little miracle,” Clardy said. “No baby deserves to go through what he went through. And no one is prepared to deliver at 23 weeks. We ask everyone to please fund the mission for babies like Lawson, so that other families, moms and preemies will have an opportunity to leave the NICU and be able to be home with their families.”
Each year in South Carolina, one in nine babies is born preterm, just like Lawson. Because Clardy’s family had support and strength from March of Dimes, she knows first-hand how valuable each contribution can be. And who knows? The babies she’s helping today may one day be students in her own classroom.
