Today sadness continues to hang over the blogosphere. Our dear friend Heather, of The Spohrs are Multiplying, known to many as @mamaspohr on Twitter, faced the unspeakable Tuesday. She said goodbye to her baby girl.

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Our thoughts and our prayers go out to Heather and Mike as they battle through the loss of sweet baby Maddie. The Spohrs are a special part of this greater online community. They have touched many lives with their writing, their humor and especially the precious moments with Maddie they shared with us. No one could resist that adorably wonderful face we were lucky enough to see in each post or picture.

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Far away on the other side of the country, I feel as if members of my own family are being hit with this devastation. And that is what they are to me, family. I was lucky enough to get to know Heather via Meghan after BlogHer last year and Heather and I spent quality time together at Blissdom in February, much of it locked in an elevator. You need only spend moments with Heather to be drawn in my her charm and wit and kind heart.

Her posts make you feel like you’re part of the Spohr clan, whether they are sharing Maddie’s obsession with Matt Lauer or keeping you posted on the latest battle that brave little girl faced. (You can read more posts about Maddie and her family over at Blog Nosh.) Knowing her story, you instantly became a cheerleader, rooting for the little gal with the irresistible smile and eyes of pure delight. I always thought Maddie had the eyes of an old soul, that she somehow knew something we didn’t, a secret she was keeping all to herself. I wish I’d had the chance to see her and hold her and ask her what that secret was. But it was not to be and my tears refused to stop when I received word yesterday.

As I write this, over $21,000 has been collected, an overwhelming amount of that from the online community the Spohrs are a part of. Tweet after tweet drove strangers and friends to support Maddie, Heather and Mike with their kind words and their pocketbooks. It is nothing short of inspirational.

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But there is more we can do, more that must be done to give all babies, babies Maddie will surely watch over from Heaven, a better fighting chance. Please join me in MARCHING FOR MADDIE at a March of Dimes Walk near you.

If you’re interested in joining the Cincy Crew, we would love to have everyone and anyone. Bring your family and your friends and your walking shoes and come out April 26th. You can find more information on our team page, Maddie’s Mob, on the MoD website.

Not in Cincinnati? Not a problem. There are hundreds of walks all over the country and there is bound to be one near you. The wonderful Sarcastic Mom is pulling a list together and if you don’t happen to see your city listed, go the March of Dimes website, type in your zipcode and start a team of your own. Be sure to let Sarcastic Mom so she can help spread the word.

Finally, give what you can to this worthy cause. Heather and Mike gained a lot of strength from the March of Dimes before Maddie was born and Maddie’s memory will live on in the good work they do for future families. Your dollars, no matter how big or small, matter. You can support our Cincy Team – Maddie’s Mob at our team site or go directly to Maddie’s LA team – it doesn’t matter which link because all the money goes to the same place.

Please walk, please give and please say a prayer for The Spohrs.