My Nonprofit Reviews

CHERUBS is the world's first and largest Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) support group, and research group. It is 100% volunteer driven,100% of the funds go to help families, and promote awareness and research to find a reason why this happens to our children.

I use the term "our", because until March 1, 2010 I had never heard of CDH either. My partner, Chris, and I were expecting our first child, and how happy we were! That day we were going to see our baby at its 19th week ultrasound and find out if we were having a boy or a girl. We found out we were having a boy, and also that he had CDH. We were told at best he had a 50% chance for survival, sent home with a choice, and no information about CDH or anyplace we could find support. We found CHERUBS through a Google search for CDH, and how lucky we were. Not only did we find a wonderful, loving community that embraced us, but CHERUBS is also headquartered in Raleigh, NC, which is about 90 minutes from our house.

We had the pleasure of meeting Dawn in person at The Great Human Race held March 23, 2010 in Durham, NC. CHERUBS was one of many groups that participated, and we walked - we walked for our son who was at 23 weeks, we walked to remember those children who have been taken by CDH, such as Shane, and for those who fight everyday to live with this condition. In April, we received our HOPE tote bag from CHERUBS, filled with items other families have made or purchased to help expecting CDH families like ourselves prepare for their child's arrival and time in the NICU. In June, we also participated in a "Save the Cherubs" photo shoot of local families, as the expecting family. These photos were used to create awareness campaign posters. These events are just a small example of projects organized and executed by CHERUBS.

Through the weeks after our diagnosis, CHERUBS was with us every step of the way, every appointment we would update the community, and voice our fears and our hopes. The whole CHERUBS community was praying for us the day our son, Oz (Hebrew for strength) was born, July 21, 2010. Within 30 minutes of life, the doctors, who monitored us rigorously to prepare for this moment, knew our Oz wasn't going to be in the 50% who survive. My family called CHERUBS. We had 2 CHERUBS moms there by our side within 2 hours, and to meet our son. They brought him a blanket and teddy bear, they held his tiny hand, and stayed until he was no longer with us 10 hours later. The next day, CHERUBS board of directors came together to form the Oz Kidd-Ward memorial scholarship to assist CDH survivors going to college, what an honor for our family. Several members also attended Oz's funeral July 27, 2010. They has been a shoulder and confidant these weeks after Oz's passing. Without the support of the CHERUBS community, I know making it to this point would have been much, much harder.

Every week, every day more babies are brought to our attention who have just been diagnosed, who are fighting, and who have heartbreakingly passed, and CHERUBS is there for each family to provide support.

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