Blogging for Good - Spina Bifida Association of Central Florida

Next week I'm attending the second Central Florida Bloggers Conference.  I'm excited to meet back up with some wonderful bloggers, expand my blogging knowledge, and blog for good.

The CFL Bloggers Conference created an amazing program called "blogging for good" that supports 6 local Central Florida nonprofits. As bloggers we have some serious social media power and we should and need to use that power for good!  The goal was the pick a nonprofit and blog about it.  That I can do.

As a future dietitian, I chose the Spina Bifida Association of Central Florida.

The Spina Bifida Association of Central Florida is comprised of group of families and individuals with Spina Bifida, professionals and community volunteers, working to provide resources, educate, network, advocate and to bring about public awareness of Spina Bifida and folic acid’s role in reducing the risk of having a baby with Spina Bifida.

A big part of the reducing the risk of Spina Bifida is increasing awareness for the need of pre-natal folic acid.

It's important to me to raise awareness about spina bifida and folic acid.  Spina bifida occurs in the FIRST month of pregnancy.  

The problem is that some women may not not they are pregnant and if they're not getting enough folic acid, their babies are at risk.  If you are a woman of child-bearing years (even if you're not trying to get pregnant) think about increasing your folic acid intake. Increase your intake PRIOR to getting pregnant.

400 micrograms of folic acid daily could prevent up to 70% of the cases of spina bifida. Fortified foods like cereals, breads, pasta, and white rice contain folic acid as does orange juice and leafy greens like spinach and kale.   However this form of folic acid isn't well absorbed by the body.  Many physicians will still recommend supplementing folic acid for women in childbearing years.

Researching Spina Bifida and my education as a future dietitian has prompted me to supplement with a capsule form of folate.  Kyle and I are not actively trying for a little Bealert, however life comes at you fast. We choose to be prepared.

Can you do me a favor? Send out a tweet, a facebook post, or even one text reminding a woman to take her folic acid.  Each day a baby with spina bifida is born to 8 American families.  Let's decrease that number together.

If you're in Orlando, there's a Walk-N-Roll for Spina Bifida on October 27. Visit their website for more information.

Thank you to  CFLBlogCon for reminding us to blog for good. Spread the word, spread the kindness, spread hope.

Ladies - do you take a folic acid supplement?

Love and folate,
Carissa & Kyle