Two Tucson fundraisers focus on new, 'remarkable' moms

Moms are the focus of two fundraising events in the Old Pueblo in the coming weeks.

On Friday at Trail Dust Town, you can support new mothers in need at A Carnival With Heart.

The fundraiser benefits Heartsounds, a nonprofit doula service that provides free services to low-income new mothers at risk for perinatal mood disorders such as anxiety, postpartum depression, postpartum obsessive compulsive disorder, postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder and postpartum psychosis.

Heartsounds doulas provide in-home care for moms and babies including comfort, guidance and one-on-one attention to facilitate a smooth transition from pregnancy and birth to parenthood. Doula duties can include not only instruction and assistance with baby care but also cooking, light cleaning and other support.

“There are some statistics indicating that 20 percent of new moms struggle with some form of postpartum mood disorder and we think those number are underreported,” said Elizabeth Mendoza, Heartsounds program manager.

“It is the most common complication of childbirth — even more common than gestational diabetes or high blood pressure, which are screened for routinely during pregnancy — so it is surprising that pregnant and postpartum women are not routinely screened for mood disorders,” she said.

Mendoza said Heartsounds focuses on lower income mothers since statistically, they are hardest hit by perinatal mood disorders.

“The mothers we serve may not have as much support in their lives as they welcome a new baby, so as professionals, doulas fill that role that traditionally family or friends or other support fill for some families,” she said.

Ultimately, Mendoza said that the goal is healthy moms and healthy babies. . The organization served 49 clients last year.

“We received a private grant that helped us to grow and educate the community about what we do and that has been a wonderful opportunity. Since we are privately funded, we continue to look for funding support in order to serve these women. Every dollar we raise goes right back to hire doulas to help these moms and babies in need,” said Mendoza.

‘Remarkable Moms’ fundraiser

Another benefit on the eve of Mother’s Day offers the opportunity to honor moms while supporting children and their families coping with the diagnosis of a serious illness and for children and families grieving the death of a loved one.

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The annual Remarkable Celebration is the signature fundraiser for Tu Nidito, a nonprofit that provided support to more than 900 children and their families last year through one-on-one and group-based services.

The benefit will honor five “Remarkable Moms:”

• Bonnie Allinder, who along with her late husband, Del, has been a generous philanthropist for Tu Nidito and other local children’s charities;

• Photographer Amy Haskell, mother of Presley, who donates her professional skills to Tu Nidito and other nonprofits;

• Corby Lust, a mother of two boys with special needs who is active with organizations focused on blood disorders;

• Jeanette Clifton, a cancer survivor and mother of four who overcame the loss of her son Brian and has been an advocate of children’s charities for 60 years; and

• Donna McDermott, who lost her husband, Scott, to a drunk driver and has spent 10 years educating parents about the dangers of underage drinking through MADD.

“These are incredible women who have suffered a loss or a catastrophic event in their own lives and have taken that situation and built upon it to help others. Every year we have so many remarkable nominations and it is so hard to narrow it down,” said Donna Crawford, co-chair of the event with her husband, Mike.

The beach-themed “Havana Nights” event seeks to raise at least $300,000 for Tu Nidito programs, which continue to expand to fill community need, according to Director of Development Lisa Robinson.

Last year, Tu Nidito implemented a partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson to provide on-site bereavement support groups in an effort to reach children who might not otherwise receive services.

Tu Nidito has also implemented grief education seminars for educators, social workers, day care providers and other professionals in an effort to help bereaved children feel supported .