Welcome

We are so excited to be able to celebrate Townes' first year of life with you all at our first 'public' event at the March for Babies Walk on the morning of Sunday, April 26.  Townes and his parents have been on RSV/Flu "lock-down"since October 2014, and this will be the first opportunity that many of our friends and family will get to meet the little guy!  The default March for Babies Walk team site was clunky and not user-friendly, so we have created this site as the one-stop-shop for all your Team Townes March for Babies information (to read more on exactly where your donation is going, please visit the FAQs below OR the 'Perks' section on the right side of the page.)

As we get closer to event day, we will post more details about parking instructions, meet-up location, post-walk picnic site, etc. so check back regularly for the latest info on the 'Updates' and 'Activity' pages above.

Our Story {the short & sweet version}

Stephen Townes Wiese was born on January 22, 2014 at 29 weeks weighing 2lbs 12oz and measured 16.25 inches long.  Right after he was delivered via emergency c-section, he recieved surfactant therapy to help his underdeveloped lungs and while he still had to be intubated, the doctor's told us the early theapy treatment saved his life.  Did you know that sufactant therapy was developed with funding from the March of Dimes to treat early respiratory distress?  Over 15,700 babies will recieve surfacant therapy this year in the U.S.

Since Townes' birth, he has spent 123 days of the first year of his life in a hospital (~105 of those days were in a NICU or PICU).  Townes has had 4 brain surgeries, one throat surgery and a PIC line installed that ran directly into his heart….this kiddo has had so many MRI’s that we can say we’ve honestly lost count.  

April 19th at 3:30pm will be the 1-year anniversary of Townes' coming home. 

Despite his hard journey, Townes has the sweetest personality and will steal your heart after spending 60-seconds with him (especially right after a long nap!).  He has his mother's cheery disposition and father's condecsending eyebrows...seriously, check it out:

March of Dimes serves over 2.1 million families and professionals a year through their community services and eduction to improve babies' health.  We would not trade these last 14 months for anything, but we can decrease the 1 out of 9 babies born prematurely each year.  We hope you will join with us to support March of Dimes and let's support the fight for stronger, healthier babies.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: *NEW* How do we register for the walk? 

A: Just visit http://teamtownes.eventbrite.com and RSVP and let us know you will be joining us on Sunday 4/26 in Houston, TX. No fees or printed tickets required!

Q: *NEW* Where do we go for the walk on Sunday, April 26? 

A: Parking & Route Information  With more than 40,000 walkers attending the event, please allow yourself ample time to arrive, find parking – and walk to the start/finish area. Comprehensive directions, parking instructions and a parking map are available here and at houstonmarchforbabies.org.

Q: Why are you using this website instead of the March of Dimes default March for Babies Team site? 

A: We found the default March of Dimes Walk for Babies team site difficult to set-up and navigate!  Also, we wanted to be able to offer you all the opportunity to participate in whatever way you felt most comfortable - leave our team a note of encouragement, donate to the March of Dimes, buy a t-shirt...whatever you want to do!  You DO NOT have to donate in order to walk with us on April 26, but since its a fundraising event, we are hoping you will choose to join us in supporting March of Dimes.  

Q: If I donate on this site, where will my money be going? 

A: EXCELLENT question! As advocates for complete transparency in nonprofit fundraising, we have outlined exaclty where your donation will be applied in the 'Perks' section on the right side of the web page.  After we recieve all of your contributions, our family will submit one group donation to March of Dimes in honor of Team Townes ask that 50% of those funds go towards programs in support of parents with premature infants, and the other 50% will be designated for research efforts to find new ways to prevent premature birth. If you would like your funds to be applied elsewhere, please let us know (amanda.wiese@gmail.com) and we will earmark your donation accordingly.