Project: Cameron's Story

I recently learned about Project: Cameron's Story, and I haven't been able to get it out of my mind.

Cameron was born in Albany in February, 2009, 16 weeks premature. As you can imagine, he suffered a myriad of complications as a result of his prematurity and size. He overcame many challenges, and finally joined his family at home after 213 days in the NICU at Albany Medical Center. Tragically, he succumbed to an infection and passed away on October 20, 2009. I'm moved by Cameron's story for many reasons, but the one I keep coming back to is that my daughter was born in the same hospital, just eight days after Cameron passed away.

While Cameron was in the NICU, his mother read to him as a way of bonding with him, even when she couldn't hold him. This experience had such a profound impact on their relationship, she started Project: Cameron's Story to enable other families have the same experience of bonding with their babies while they're in the NICU. The organization's mission is " to place a brand new, quality, children's book in the hands of every parent of a premature baby upon admission to the NICU at Albany Medical Center, New York."


This month, Project: Cameron's Story is doing a "bookraiser" to collect books for donation. Several bookstores in the Saratoga-Glens Falls area are participating, as am I with my Barefoot Books business. There's a list of participating bookstores on the website, and if you would like to purchase a Barefoot Books book for the Project, there are two ways to do so:

• Go to http://www.amym.barefootbooks.com/ to select and purchase your donation(s). Enter the code AMBTWY at check-out to save 20% on your purchase. If you are outside the Saratoga-Glens Falls area, you can have your donation shipped to Project: Cameron's Story; 7 Faxon Street; Glens Falls, NY 12801.
• If you prefer not to purchase your donation online, just let me know which book(s) you'd like to donate, and I'll order and deliver it for you. (The same 20% discount will apply.)

The Project offers these guidelines for selecting appropriate books: "For parents who are trying to connect with their premature babies through oral communication, the suggestion is for the books to be 'picture storybooks.' It would be helpful if the books were of medium to large size, with lots of pictures, and a long storyline (i.e. lots of words!)." Here are some appropriate options from Barefoot Books:

Herb, the Vegetarian Dragon
The Boy Who Grew Flowers
The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales
Storytime First Tales for Sharing
Ruby's School Walk
Shrinking Sam
Shopping with Dad
Emily's Tiger
The Tear Thief
Jack in the Beanstalk
The Gigantic Turnip
The Prince's Bedtime

I hope you'll consider participating in the bookraiser for Project: Cameron's Story and supporting this wonderful organization. If you have any questions, please let me know.  Thanks for your support!!