Cooler temperatures didn’t stop people from turning out for the second annual Spring Forward Lawson T. Dody Memorial walk/run Thursday evening.
About $4,600 was raised for the Dody family during the walk.
Last year, the event benefited MEND (Mommies Enduring Neonatal Death) following the loss of the Dody’s first son, Lawson, who was stillborn in 2006. This year the event took on a new twist with the birth of Aron and Blythe Dody’s second son, Landon, who was born earlier in January with an ileum atresia, which is a blockage in his small intestine. The blockage occurred early during Blythe Dody’s pregnancy and it killed a small part of Landon’s intestine.
About 250 people participated in Thursday’s event, according to organizer Jennifer Thomas.
In a phone interview Wednesday afternoon, Aron Dody said Landon is being prepared for transfer to the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, where there is a department that specializes in small bowel syndrome.
“They’re the Number One hospital in the world for small bowel dysfunction,” Dody said. “It’s just the best place for him to be.”
Dody said Landon’s personality has improved the past few days and he has gained some weight. He now has a hickman or broviac in his heart for direct access for medications and blood draws.
“It’s a more permanent IV,” Dody said.
Dody said he is grateful for the support his family has received from the community.
“Again, continued thanks for everyone for their support and encouragement,” he said. “The words on the Web site have been so helpful to Blythe and I.”
On the Net:
www.caringbridge.org/visit/landondody.