Upcoming event
March for Babies - Kauai 2018
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Kauai 2018 Ambassador Family
he Efhan Ohana (Kaulana, Keola, Vaylen, Santa, and Mason) is honored this year as the 2018 Kauai Ambassador Family for the annual March for Babies event. Their story is one of too many when a baby is born too soon. This is what happened to Vaylen, the second child to Keola and Kaulana. Kaulana Efhan was thrilled when she found out that she too was pregnant shortly after her sister announced her pregnancy. Being pregnant was an answered prayer of Keola’s grandmother. Unfortunately, Keola’s grandmother passed away before Vaylen was born. It was at the Grandmother’s Celebration of Life that Kaulana began feeling pressure. She dismissed it because of the sadness and stress of losing Keola’s grandmother. The entire Ohana had gathered to share memories and as the stories were told, there was much talking story and laughter. With all the laughing Kaulana’s uncle said, “you better stop laughing so hard before you have that baby now.” That very next day, a full month early, Kaulana’s water broke. Keola rushed Kaulana to Wilcox
Date: Saturday, April 7, 2018 Times: 6:45 a.m.: Registration 7:30 a.m.: Opening Ceremonies & warm-up 8:00 a.m.: 1.5 Mile walk through Lydgate Park 8:30 a.m.: Entertainment, breakfast, keiki carnival, games and prizes Where: Lydgate Park main pavilion How: Register online at www.marchforbabies.org. For more information, contact Nannie Apalla at 634-8743 or napalla@marchofdimes.org. We’re getting ready to walk in March for Babies! It promises to be a fun morning out with people who share our passion for improving the health of babies. Join family teams, company teams and people walking with friends for a great cause: making a difference for real families right here in our community. Sign up and raise money to help more moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies.
Memorial Hospital. She and Keola had to make a tough decision. She could deliver here on Kauai and have the baby medevacked to Kapiolani Hospital Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) on Oahu, but she would not be able to be with the baby until she was released from Wilcox Memorial. The other option
was to keep from delivering long enough to medevac to Oahu and deliver at Kapiolani Hospital. She so wanted to stay with the baby, they choose to make the flight to Oahu. Kaulana was 31 weeks along. A fullterm baby is at least 39 weeks. KauSEE FAMILIES, PAGE 4
March with us! We’re leading the fight for the health of all moms and babies.
Give every baby a fighting chance! Support March of Dimes in their fight against birth defects, premature births, and infant mortality. Longs proudly supports March of Dimes. marchofdimes.org/hawaii/
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Timeline
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outdated Toxic Substances Control Act, the law that regulates all chemicals in commerce in the U.S. The law now requires special evaluation of the impact chemicals will have on pregnant women, infants and children. • Persuaded the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to permit voluntary fortification of corn masa flour - a dietary staple for many Hispanic families - with the B vitamin folic acid. Folic acid helps prevent serious birth defects of the brain and spine known as neural tube defects, such as spina bifida.
hroughout its long history, March of Dimes has played a critical role in shaping national and state policies that impact the health of women, infants, children and families. March of Dimes is deeply proud of our uncommon record of success, which not only spans many decades but reflects our commitment to working with policymakers across the political spectrum. The following accomplishments over the past 10 tens have improved the health of all moms and all babies. The March of Dimes has been a key player and helped pass the following laws:
2017
1997
• Congress provided $2 million for activities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent preterm birth. March of Dimes also helped preserve funding for critical public health 2014 programs, such as newborn screenclusion of key maternal and child 2000 ing, immunizations, and the Maternal health provisions in, the Patient Protec- • Public Law 113-240, the Newborn and Child Health Block Grant. tion and Affordable Care Act (ACA). Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization • Public Law 106-310, the Children’s • Defeated proposals in both the U.S. These included the explicit inclusion of Act, a bill to renew federal programs Health Act, a landmark package of House and Senate that would have maternity care and newborn care that support states’ efforts to screen bills to improve child health. Tthis law undermined critical protections for among essential health benefits and every newborn for dozens of condicreated the National Center for Birth women, children and families, like the full coverage of tobacco cessation for Defects and Developmental Disabilitions that can threaten their lives or requirements that all plans cover peowomen covered by Medicaid. health. ties at the Centers for Disease Control ple with pre-existing conditions and inand Prevention (CDC), expanded 2012 2015 clude maternity coverage. federal folic acid promotion proAcross the nation, March of Dimes accugrams, broadened Safe Motherhood • Obtained the co-sponsorship of two• Public Law 114-91, the Protecting Our programs at CDC, established the thirds of all U.S. Representatives and all Infants Act, a bill to support efforts to mulated over 700 legal victories on federal newborn hearing screening U.S. Senators for its March of Dimes collect and disseminate strategies key maternal and child health issues, grants program, and created the AdCommemorative Coin Act, a bill to and best practices to prevent and such as expanding newborn screenauthorize the U.S. Mint to strike a comtreat maternal opioid use and abuse, visory Committee on Heritable Disoring, health coverage, birth spacing, as well as to provide recommendaders in Newborns and Children memorative coin in 2015 to mark the protecting Medicaid coverage for March of Dimes 75th anniversary, with pregnant women, and smoking cestions for diagnosing and treating ba2006 a portion of proceeds going to the bies suffering from withdrawal after sation. March of Dimes. birth. For the past half-century, virtually every • Public Law 109-298, the PREEMIE Act, one of the more than 4 million infants a bill to focus federal efforts in support 2013 2016 born in the United States each year of the then-new March of Dimes Prehas undergone newborn screening. maturity Campaign. • Public Law 113-55, the PREEMIE Act, a • Congressional passage of $1.1 billion Initially, affected newborns appear bill to focus federal programs on prefor research and prevention efforts to 2008 healthy, but can deteriorate quickly vention, education and research on combat Zika virus. and without warning. Approximately preterm birth. • Helped develop maternal and child • Public Law 110-204, the original Newhealth provisions in the 21st Century born Screening Saves Lives Reauthori- • Persuaded Health and Human Ser1 in every 300 newborns in the U.S. has Cures Act. Such as: clinical trials in orvices Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to zation Act, to bring greater a condition that can be detected extend the Advisory Committee on consistency to newborn screening through screening. With the early deder to increase knowledge of mediHeritable Disorders, the committee programs nationwide. tection affected infants receive cation safety during pregnancy and that makes recommendations about lactation; grants to increase screening prompt treatment, which can prevent 2009 which conditions all newborns should for and treatment of postpartum depermanent disability, developmental be screened for. Without this action, pression; and removing a key barrier delay and even death. No child • Public Law 111-3, the Children’s Health the committee would have gone dorto the development of vaccines for should suffer or die when there is a Insurance Program Reauthorization mant until Congress renewed it, sususe during pregnancy. means to identify and treat the condiAct. 2010 pending its vital work. • Passed much-needed reforms to the tion. • Public Law 111-148 promotes the in• Public Law 105-33, a major budget bill which also created the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (now known as CHIP).
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marchofdimes.org/hawaii/
“I try to be as positive, healthy and happy for the kids because that’s what they’re going to see. I try to be a role model for them.” – Helene, Recreational Therapy Manager, Shriners Hospitals for Children® – Honolulu UHA member since 2015
When you’re at your best– they can be at their best.
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UHA is a Proud Sponsor of
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uhahealth.com
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Neighbor Islands: 1(800) 458-4600, ext. 301
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@uhahealth
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Ambassador family continued lana flew out on January 20, 2014. Vaylen was born January 23, 2014. “I was so scared and alone, except for a few nurses from Kauai who on Oahu getting some training at Kapiolani,” says Kaulana. “Seeing a few familiar faces helped.” When Keola was able to make it over to Oahu and see his new baby, he and Kaulana were not entirely prepared. “It was scary and very intimidating to see him (Vaylen) hooked up to all different machines.” A few days later Keola and Kaulana found out that Vaylen had some unforeseen medical issues such as calcification in his brain and on his liver. Vaylen spent 3 months at the Kapiolani Hospital NICU until Vaylen was strong enough and passed all his health tests.
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n o 3 b e t Family helped provide a car and a place to stay so Kaulana and Keola could be with Vaylen every day. It was during this time the Efhans were told about the March of Dimes’ family events. They began going regularly and met families who had also had a difficult pregnancy, had pre-term deliveries, or other pregnancy complications. These
other families became part of the Efhan extended “Ohana” and they all still keep in touch today. “They made us feel loved and gave us the hope for the best for every child that was there,” Kaulana remarked. “The March of Dimes helped my family cope with being away from home and family. They gave us lots of information on who to contact and where
we could go for help. The March of Dimes volunteers helped foster relationships with other families there brought us all together – as a new Ohana. We thank the March of Dimes from the bottom or our hearts and their staff for being there for my family through this life-changing event – the birth our son, Vaylen.”
Kapa‘a Family Physicians Dr. Esaki and Alana will be practicing together, serving the public into the future. There is a shortage of primary care providers and we take walk-in as well as call-in patients
Locally Owned & Operated
Hearts4Kauai offers: • CPR/FIRST AID TRAINING (Heartsaver/BLS)
4-1461 Kuhio Highway • Kapa‘a, HI 96746
• American Heart Association Certification • Online Instruction Available
M–Th 8am–5pm • Fri 8:30am–5pm Sat 8:30am–12pm
• AED Sales & Service and First Aid Kit Fulfillment
Call 808-822-4333 for information
652-1284
Accepting new patients
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www.hearts4kauai.com
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m t p i r f p c
What is preterm birth?
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reterm birth is any birth occurring before 37 weeks of pregnancy. In addition to the risk of death, babies who survive an early birth often face serious, lifelong health problems, including chronic lung disease, vision and hearing impairment, cerebral palsy, and neurodevelopmental disabilities. The scientific world has been hunting for the causes of preterm birth for decades. Preterm birth is a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Previous research has suggested that about 30 to 40 percent of the risk for preterm birth is linked to genetic factors. New scientific studies are underway to look at those genetic factors. One of The March of Dimes five Prematurity Research Centers spearheaded the largest genome-wide study of preterm birth ever conducted. The study included more than 50,000 pregnancies, resulting in identifying the locations of no fewer than six genes whose expressions play a significant role in causing the conditions that bring about preterm
birth. Another newly identified gene area raises important questions about how a lack of selenium—a common dietary mineral found in some nuts, certain green vegetables, liver and other meats—might affect preterm birth risk. Through Community service, Advo-
of the pregnancy journey, even when everything doesn’t go according to plan EDUCATES medical professionals to make sure that moms and babies get the best possible care. UNITES local communities across the nation through programs and events. We fight for local families in all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico to ensure all babies are born healthy. PARTNERS with organizations and companies committed to helping moms and their families. FUNDS scientific research at our Prematurity Research Centers to improve the health of moms and babies. THE NATIONAL LEADER FOR HEALTH OF cacy, Research, Education and Support, ALL MOMS AND BABIES. we are changing the lives of moms, ba- • Health education and empowerment bies, and families across the country and helped over 181,000 families in 2017. in your community, right here on Kauai. • Care innovation, NICU support and loThe March of Dimes: cal programs have reached over ADVOCATES for policies that prioritize 75,000 families. the health of moms and babies. SUPPORTS moms through every stage SEE PRETERM, PAGE 6
Proud Supporter of March of Dimes
www.Matson.com marchofdimes.org/hawaii/
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Preterm continued health care, • Over 200 scientists at housing, jobs, major research centers neighborhood are growing a body of safety, food secumajor research includrity, and income ing 300 published artiis key to achievcles, abstracts and ing better health presentations. or birth equity for • State and Federal adall. vocacy that has delivered over 186 legislative 2. Increasing education: wins for moms and ba• Traditional and bies in 2017. new social media • Widely trusted brand campaigns are recognized as organizaeducating tion who “champions women of childfor the health of all babearing age and bies.” healthcare proThe March of Dimes, the fessionals. We’re a leading nonprofit organitrusted source on best zation for pregnancy and practices, from reducbaby health, has earned ing early elective the Platinum Seal of Trans(non-medically indiparency – the highest cated) deliveries, to level of recognition -- from low-dose aspirin to the charity watchdog group prenatal care agency GuideStar. The that can dramatically March of Dimes also is a improve the health of Better Business Bureau Acmoms and babies. credited Charity and meets all 20 standards listed on the BBB Wise Giving Alliance Web site Give.org. The March of Dimes is taking action on multiple fronts nationally and in communities with the greatest needs, in order to spread known innovations to give every baby a fighting chance, such as: 1. Expanding scientific research: • Pioneering an innovative scientific team approach to identify the unknown causes of premature birth and find new ways to prevent it. • The conditions in which people live and work have a profound impact on birth outcomes. Studying and understanding the effect of factors such as 6 • Sunday, April 1, 2018
3. Strengthening advocacy for policies that prioritize the health of moms and babies: • Working to ensure government policies and programs create a better community context for healthy pregnancies and infants. By advocating for the needs of
around equity and preterm birth. 4. Improving clinical care programs and practice: • The March of Dimes creates and runs its signature programs on the ground that help improve health outcomes for mothers and babies, such as Supportive Pregnancy Care; and support and educate families with preterm babies, such as NICU Family moms and babies, we Support. work to ensure no mom NICU Family Support or baby falls through also provides ongoing edthe cracks. • Launched a Prematurity ucation for hospital staff. This education focuses on Campaign Collaborabest practices in supporttive, convening 300 ing families, and the benleading maternal and efits of appropriate child health organizafamily-centered care for tions and experts to NICU babies at every build a movement
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stage of development. The Hawaii Chapter supports a part-time NICU Family Support Specialist at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children. The program was launched in 2005. Since that time, we have: • Distributed more than 5,000 parent care kits to families • Offered more than 325 parent activities/parent education hours • Touched the lives of over 4,000 family members who attended activities/education hours including parents, grandparents and siblings • Trained over 60 Kapiolani staff in Family-Centered Care (plus 10 non-Kapiolani staff trainings) • Invested over a $500,000 in this program
marchofdimes.org/hawaii/
What’s next
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ur goals include: reducing preterm birth rates to 8.1 percent or less nationwide by 2020 and 5.5 percent or less nationwide by 2030; reducing racial and geographic disparities in rates of premature birth; ensuring women and children have adequate health coverage. We are taking action with proven interventions to prevent premature birth for all babies. We have programs such as Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait ®, which encourages women to allow labor to begin on its own if their pregnancy is healthy; Stork’s Nest® , a prenatal health program for low-income pregnant women.; The Coming of the Blessing®, incorporating traditional beliefs and lessons into prena-
tal practices of American Indian/Alaska Native moms; and Becoming a mom/ Comenzando bien®, which trains and educates women and health care providers in either English or Spanish. The March of Dimes was founded in 1938 by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to defeat polio. Within 17 years, the Salk vaccine was developed, and polio was defeated. Its original mission accomplished, the foundation turned its focus to preventing birth defects and infant mortality. The March of Dimes has led the way to discover the genetic causes of birth defects, to promote newborn screening, and to educate medical professionals and the public about best practices for healthy
pregnancy. We have supported research for surfactant therapy to treat respiratory distress and helped initiate the system of regional neonatal intensive care for premature and sick babies. Our Folic Acid Campaign achieved a dramatic reduction in the incidence of neural tube defects, birth defects of the brain and spine. March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy so that every baby can have the best possible start. Building on a successful 80year legacy of impact and innovation, we empower every mom and every family.
Proudly supporting March for Babies
Aloha Pediatrics is a proud supporter of the
March of Dimes! Looking for a pediatrician? Come check out our office in Kalaheo. New patients are welcome! Coming to the doctor can be fun! Check out our cool waiting room.
Working to improve customer
from our ‘Ohana at Kauai Realty marchofdimes.org/hawaii/
service with our new kiosk check-in! ‘Committed to providing comprehensive, quality healthcare to Kauai’s keiki!’ 2469-C Puu Road (behind Kalaheo Steak House), Kalaheo, HI 96741 Phone (808) 378-4557 or 652-0048 Fax (808) 378-4558 Website: alohapediatricskauai.com M A R C H F O R BA B I E S - K AUA I 2 0 1 8
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