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Background on Spina Bifida

65 million women of child-bearing age are at risk of having a baby born with Spina Bifida. Everyday, an average of eight babies are affected by Spina Bifida or a similar birth defect of the brain and spine. Each year, about 3,000 pregnancies are affected by these birth defects. Currently an estimated 70,000 people in the United States are living with Spina Bifida; in Georgia, there are estimated to be 1,800 children and adults with Spina Bifida. Spina Bifida is the most common permanently disabling birth defect – the most complex birth defect compatible with life – AND it is preventable.

The risk of having a baby born with Spina Bifida can be reduced by as much as 70% – by taking a vitamin supplement of 400 mcg of folic acid daily prior to conception and during the first three months of pregnancy.

In a report released by the Centers for Disease Contol and Prevention (CDC) on January 4, 2007, levels of folic acid (folate levels shown in patients’ blood) in non-pregnant women of child-bearing age has dropped significantly (1999-2004). This data indicates that Spina Bifida births can be expected to rise in the future. In addition to affecting issues of quality of life, accessibility and inclusion, the lifelong costs of a person with Spina Bifida are insurmountable to most families.

Please pray for my Mom........she is in the providence hospital in Mobile Alabama. She is in the ICU. She has had cancer for a year and it has metastisized. She fell last Monday and broke her hip. She has had various complications with her lungs, heart, etc. and is now swelling. The family has been called in twice so far. She is on every type of machine that is possible to try to help her in her weakness. We know our Lord is strong when we are weak so I ask for you to pray for His will and for comfort for both of my parents.