Polk State data analyst’s family to be featured by March of Dimes

For Jaren Dodson, Data Analyst at Polk State College, an upcoming campaign will serve as a reminder of how much his life has changed and the difference that people can make.

Dodson’s 1-year-old son Davren and wife Kamalie have been selected as ambassadors for Publix’s March of Dimes campaign this year. March of Dimes is a nonprofit founded by former U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt that works to improve the health of mothers and babies.

“If not for all the contributions made toward March of Dimes, we wouldn’t have been as informed as we were,” Dodson said. “Those contributions really made a difference.”

Dodson had just begun his job in Polk State’s Institutional Technology Department when his wife suffered an aortic dissection, meaning her aorta had split. That forced her to have an emergency Caesarean section just 25 weeks into her pregnancy.

“That on top of starting a new job made it the most stressful time of my life,” Dodson said. “I have to thank Polk for making me a part of the family. They made it clear that my family came first.”

Born on Jan. 4, 2022, in the Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion for Women and Children at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, Davren spent his first 100 days in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). As Kamalie Dodson underwent surgery for her aortic dissection, her life hung in the balance.

“Anyone we’ve ever talked to, especially the medical professionals were mind-blown that she survived,” Dodson said. “The chances of someone coming back from that were so slim. We had doctors who weren’t involved that day just come in to meet her because of the nature of her case. The staff at Lakeland Regional was so supportive.”

Dodson noted that the literature provided through March of Dimes was helpful as he and his wife became first-time parents. Most literature for parents, he said, is written based on a full-term child.

“The information that March of Dimes provided was specific to a NICU baby,” Dodson added. “We read up on everything we could. People tend to not really contribute to things that don’t directly affect them. Babies in themselves are miracles, especially those with special needs. Any amount goes a long way – from educational materials to equipment.”

Like his mother more than two months before, Davren underwent heart surgery at Nemours Children’s Health on March 10. After more than three months in the NICU, Davren finally came home on April 14 – his original due date.

“We got really lucky,” Dodson said. “Everyone is good – it’s just appointments now. Dav’s had over 50 appointments with specialists. Every type of doctor you can think of is monitoring him. We’ve had such an outpouring of love and support. He’s getting two birthdays this year — his actual birthday and his adjusted birthday.”

To maintain a sense of normalcy, Dodson and his wife of five years, who works at Publix Super Markets’ corporate office, returned to work early in Davren’s life. Despite being new to the job, Dodson said the support he received from his Polk State bosses and colleagues went a long way.

“I was brand new, so I didn’t expect a whole lot of support,” he recalled. “Everyone was blown away to see me here, but we needed some sense of normalcy. Everyone was just so supportive. They treated me like family immediately.”

Now two and a half feet tall and 22 pounds, Davren has progressed nicely. For size, he’s in the 15th percentile for children his age and in the 75th percentile to adjust for his premature status. He’s crawling and on the verge of walking.

“To see him do so well makes us so proud,” Dodson said. “He’s a fighter. He’s sprouted up like crazy. He’s doing amazing.”

From April 12 through April 23, Kamalie and Davren Dodson will be featured on materials at Publix locations throughout the Southeast during the company’s annual March of Dimes register campaign.

The family hopes their story can provide comfort to others in similar situations.

“If you’re ever in a situation like this, don’t hesitate to seek guidance,” Dodson advised. “It’s traumatic for everyone but having resources helps. The joys and everything that we have experienced as new parents has completely overshadowed all that we went through.”