Making waves for CoraL

About Coral

On January 21st, the day after earning their Open Water Scuba Diver Certifications, Yhadird and Julie found out they were pregnant! They joked that they should name the baby 'Coral or something' since the little bean dove with them throughout their training. Sadly, just three months later, their pregnancy ended at 18 weeks due to a rare pregnancy complication called PPROM (Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes), in laymen's terms, when a woman's water breaks early in pregnancy.

Currently, there is no prevention method, treatment or cure for PPROM. The existing protocol is to urge termination to avoid complications for the mother. Julie went against this advice and together, Coral and her momma made it 17 days with no measurable fluid before Coral passed away due to a PPROM complication.

In the wake of their loss, Julie and Yhadird have chosen to speak out about their PPROM diagnosis and loss to raise awareness and funds for the many exciting research and education initiatives working to help babies like Coral survive and thrive!

In grief, it is often suggested that to set goals that help you look toward the future. Julie and Yhadird's first goal was to train for and run in the Baltimore Running Festival in Coral's memory, using the platform to draw attention to this rare pregnancy complication and raise funds for PPROM research and family support. They partnered with The PPROM Foundation to help achieve this goal, and they've been leading run teams ever since!

A message from Julie:

"Our precious little mermaid Coral didn't have the water she needed here, so she had to go back to 'the waters above'. With your help, we will ensure that PPROM mommas everywhere feel empowered, supported and educated! We hope that one day, through research, a treatment will be found and that PPROM mommas will be able to replenish their waters and bring those little miracles earthside! We hope you will join us!"