Sidelines National Support Network  / Volunteer Spotlight

Volunteer of the Month
  May 2008
Lana Merewether

The Sidelines volunteers are a dedicated group of women and men who offer support and guidance to families who are experiencing difficult pregnancies or a premature birth. Paired with those who are dealing with complications similar to ones they experienced themselves, these volunteers share valuable information and advice with expectant mothers and fathers just by logging into their computers or making a phone call. With the convenience of email, volunteers are just a few keystrokes away from their referrals, helping to ease feelings of isolation and loneliness often created by pregnancy complications or a doctor's orders for bedrest.

For many women, the diagnosis of pregnancy complications is easier to handle when they're able to discuss their situation with others who have "been there." The Sidelines support network creates this opportunity, linking experienced moms with women dealing with issues such as pre-term labor, a multiple pregnancy, an incompetent cervix, premature rupture of membranes (PROM), and other difficult pregnancy situations. Whether they're across the country or across the ocean, volunteers and referrals can converse as if they were in the same living room!

Through this communication, many volunteers become not just a means of support, but true friends to their referrals. The rewards are great for both, and volunteers love hearing the news when a happy, healthy baby arrives!

Sidelines salutes the close to 5000 volunteers who are making a real difference in the lives of expectant mothers and their families. Each month on this web site, we will feature one of these devoted individuals who give so much of their time to others. Sidelines will also send a gift to the Volunteer Of The Month.