Maternal Mortality: IT'S PERSONAL

2020 has been a challenging year for everyone.  But for the past six decades, maternal mortality rates have been steadily rising. Black women are dying at a rate of 3 to 4 times that of White women due to pregnancy and childbirth related complications, resulting in 700-900 deaths every year—of which 60% are preventable. Just imagine how challenging the days, weeks, months and years are for the children and families of these women.  The exponential devastation of one woman’s death is staggering.

To me maternal mortality is not only real, it is deeply personal. My beautiful daughter died a preventable death, three weeks after she gave birth to my one and only grandchild. As a result, I like many other mothers whose daughters are included in those yearly 700-900 deaths, are struggling with the grief as we take on the responsibility of raising our grandchildren.

Dr. Shalon’s Maternal Action Project was founded in 2019 to carry on the legacy left by Shalon Irving. Shalon work as an Epidemiologist at the CDC, addressing the health inequities Black women face when giving birth in America.  For the past year, we have made great strides to amplify the stories of lost mothers and the desolation of families. We have engaged in promoting legislation aimed at ending the disparities and promoting evidence-influenced solutions. But we are just getting started. Our commitment is to eliminate the preventable deaths that occur after delivery. 

The death of a mother impacts entire families for generations.   My granddaughter is three years old now. She only knows her mother through pictures and memories I share with her. But memories can’t tuck her into bed at night and read her a good night story. Pictures can’t make the booboo better or kiss away the tears. Pictures and memories can’t cheer on first steps or the love and laughter of family on Thanksgiving, the joy of Christmas mornings, birthdays, proms, graduations, weddings and births of the next generation—all joyous event she will not share with her Mommy.  Every child deserves to grow up covered by the love of a mother. Every new mother deserves life after delivery. In 2021, Dr. Shalon’s Maternal Action Project will pave the way, but we can’t do it alone.

I am asking you for your support. I can't help my daughter, but with your help, we can save someone else's daughter.

 Your contribution is essential to our success. 

Every dollar you donate through this fundraising effort will be directed toward increasing awareness of the Black maternal health crisis and developing evidence-influenced strategies to improve health outcomes for Black mothers and families. 

Dr. Shalon’s Maternal Action Project is a 501 c 3 organization. All donations are tax-deductible.

Learn more at https://www.drshalonsmap.org/