We are proud to announce that we awarded the foundation’s first-ever gift– a $50,000 donation to the March of Dimes– that is being restricted to a research project now underway at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. The research being conducted by Dr. Martin G. Martin is seeking to find properties in human breastmilk that might be used to prevent Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) in newborn babies.

NEC is the condition Caitlin suffered through twice; the second time doing extensive damage to her GI tract requiring surgery. As you know now, Caitlin passed away in Michelle’s arms following that surgery after giving us 130 days that we will forever cherish, and that will forever inspire us. We encourage you to read more about this devastating condition that affects so many preemies at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14231980/ or other sites you can find online.

We want to thank all of you for your generosity and for helping to make this gift possible. We look forward to making similar donations in 2008 and beyond with your continued support.