I remember when I saw the facebook post from Christina.
The T.T.T.S Support Team was created in 2011 by a group of parents who have been affected by T.T.T.S. We remember the intense pain and worry we felt as we dealt with this disease and we would like to help other women who are finding themselves in this dark place.
If you or someone you know is suffering a loss from Twin To Twin Transfusion Syndrome we would like to send you a care package. The package includes a grief pamphlet, a list of helpful resources, and some fun surprises to bring a smile to your face during these hard days. The packages are completely free of charge and 100% donated by another T.T.T.S parent. They are available to everyone regardless of your location.
If you would like to be sent a care package from another T.T.T.S parent, please message your name, mailing address, and your story via facebook or e-mail to: Christina Russo Sporer / chrissporer1122@gmail.com. Put T.T.T.S Support Team in the title of your e-mail.
I immediately sent an email to Christina and shared my story.
She matched me with someone in my area.
I remember when I received my package from Rachel. I was blown away by her thoughtfulness and the items that she put into the package. She sent me a note and told me that she had also lost one of her twins to TTTS. And, turns out, she lives in the same city.
We were immediately bonded.
The package changed my life. One, I realized there were others in my city who had experienced this dreadful nightmare. We began to find each other and form a local support group.
Two – I realized I really wanted to give back too.
So I asked Christina how I could be a part of the team.
She said all I had to do was volunteer and be willing to be matched and send packages.
And so it began.
Christina and I also developed a relationship through this, and she is a contributor to our book Sunshine After the Storm: A Survival Guide for the Grieving Mother. We will be donating books to the TTTS Support Team thanks to our own successful fundraising campaign this month.
As mentioned above, the TTTS Support Team is 100% volunteer. We ask to join the team, and then are matched with mothers who have lost one or both twins. We take full responsibility for putting together and sending packages. There are some items that were donated in bulk that Christina sends out as she has the money, but for the most part, we pay completely out of pocket.
It gets expensive.
Christina is in the process of forming a nonprofit and is trying to collect donations so that she can purchase items to send to the team to bring down the costs for volunteers.
Christina currently has a GoFundMe campaign in progress, and a Jamberry Fundraiser. I had never heard of Jamberry Nails, but they are cool! What better than to get myself a little treat AND know that a percentage of it is going back to support the team?? And even better yet, the Jamberry Nails consultant is a TTTS mom with two special needs survivors.
I hope you’ll consider giving a small donation. Even $5 can go a long way, especially when we have a LOT of people giving $5. Christina also has gifts and giveaways for people who make donations.
I am honored to have you in the book, Alexa. You are an inspiring simple giver!