- - - Our Story - - - Signs of having severe preeclampsia were brought to my attention by a friend over our coffee date - a lasting headache and sudden swelling in my feet and hands and in my face around my eyes - that I had attributed to general pregnantness. Unaware of its meaning, and upon my friends' urging, I called the ob I was supposed to see the next day and her nurse recommended I come in now. That appointment ended by heading right to the nearby hospital, medications to prevent seizures from my climbing blood pressure (that makes you vomit profusely and feel as if your entire body is on fire), and then ambulanced to a high risk placement in a hospital with a NICU in case they needed to deliver immediately. After 10 stressful days weighing my failing body and my babies underdeveloped one, blood pressure rising, platelets dwindling, an emergency c-section brought us our breathing 27 weeks 1lb 3oz son Azariah Ricky. Three way-too-short days later while weeping and holding our lifeless little boy in our arms, we promised to make the world a better place because of his life.  His life will make an impact in the world as he has in our world.  There is no way to express how devastated we are. We miss him every day, every moment.    - - - What is it and How can you help - - - <a href="https://www.preeclampsia.org/health-information/sign-symptoms">Preeclampsia</a> and related hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are one of the leading causes of maternal and fetal deaths in the world. Symptoms can be silent until stroke, seizure, liver failure, or brain swelling take you down. The cause is still unknown, though research has provided several leads. The only known "cure" is delivery, though you can get postpartum preeclampsia up to 6 weeks after delivery. "Azzi's Ride for Research," is a cross country cycling trip from San Diego, CA to Jacksonville, FL with an empty baby seat in the back. My mission is to raise awareness and funds for preeclampsia research. All funds donated here will go straight to the <a href="https://www.preeclampsia.org/research/research-funding">Preeclampsia Foundation</a>  who awards grants to researchers. Our initial goal was to raise $3 per mile for the 3 days Azzi was with us. The route covers about 3000 miles. However, we were 85% funded before we even started pedaling, so we raised it to $20,000 which will fund and ENTIRE year long research grant. Thank you in advance for any donation you give, I deeply hope that the funds you raise will help keep future moms from this unending agony. #AzzisRide <img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/37770340_1552658108118266_r.jpeg" alt="37770340_1552658108118266_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" />

Caitlyn Combs

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Azzi's Ride for Research

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