Welcome to the March edition of Project LifeSail Campaign newsletter.

The Power of the Simple Circle

A circle of friends is a funny thing. At any given time, it expands or contracts depending upon circumstances, geographic location and timing. The one consistent factor, however, is that this circle provides a constant source of strength and support. Add your family to that circle, and you have an instant and comforting safety net, allowing you to handle any challenge life throws your way.

Doubt me? When you find out you are pregnant, who is it you share the news with? Family and friends. When the baby delivers, who are the first to visit and offer kind words of congratulations? Family and friends. Whether a full-term pregnancy or premature birth, your family and friends are the ones who are at your side helping you adjust.

For Mary Ann and Paul Vasend, family and friends provided support and comfort when their son Thor arrived 11 weeks early, weighing 1 lb,12 ozs. Those same people gave the Vasends strength when it didn't look like Thor would make it through his extended hospital stays, surgeries, and breathing difficulties. During these struggles the Vasends had an equally important, albeit less visible, friend in their corner as well - the March of Dimes.

New this month

Special fundraisers - donate to March of Dimes and enter to win one of three great prizes:

• New Trip for 2 to Breckenridge, Colorado - airfare for two and 7 nights in a luxurious mountain side log house
• Mazatlan, Mexico - airfare for two and 7 nights in a beachfront condo
• 6-months moorage from Columbia Crossings
• Available online for purchase, only 500 of each will be sold.

Family-of-the-Month

• Son of Odin and Jord? Well, not exactly, but he sure is strong. Thor Vasend proved to be no less powerful than the Norse god of Thunder as he battled to survive after arriving 11 weeks early.

Getting Ready

• Boat readiness accelerates as a new, non-skid deck gets laid down, boom and mast parts are chased down, and standing and running rigging are finalized and ordered. We also met a couple of new supporters at our mandatory Safety-at-Sea training.

Blogs

• Where would the guys be without their support network? Luckily, Jeff and Peter don't have to worry about that. Read about their ever-expanding circle of support as they ready for the race.

Multimedia

• Our Kiwi mate Peter Reese comments on the campaign as he applies the non-skid deck.
• Jeff weighs in on the value of the non-skid aspects of the deck.

How Can You Help?

• Communicate. Donate. Sponsor.