Staff Report
The Cord Foundation kicked off its organization’s work at an elegant and impressive Launch Dinner Sept. 17 at the UMass Club in Boston.
Crystal Marie Jaramillo, founder of the Cord Foundation, thanked the guests for their support of the new organization. Crystal is the wife of popular Revere Councillor-at-Large Juan Jaramillo.
State Sen. Lydia Edward delivered a congratulatory message via remote to Crystal Jaramillo, commending the courage she has shown in her life.
State Rep. Adrian Madaro of East Boston was one of the honorees. Also recognized as legislative champions were Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll and State Senator Liz Miranda.
In a nice touch to the awards program, each honoree received an original painting done by the multi-talented Crystal Marie Jaramillo.
Madaro served as the Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, “a position he leveraged to include vital health provisions for new parents.”
In his acceptance speech, Madaro, who has become a towering presence in the House of Representatives and not only because he stands a majestic 6-feet-3 inches, said humbly, “I want to thank [Board Member] Dr. Leigh Simmons for the introduction and thank the Jaramillo Family in particular. Crystal, I had no idea that you were such a talented artist. This [award] is so meaningful to know that you made this with your own hands. I know you put a lot of love and soul and heart into this. It really is an honor to be with you all tonight and to receive this recognition from The Cord Foundation. In particular, Crystal, I want to thank you. Your story was so powerful.”
Madaro credited Crystal for her intrepidness in sharing “such a personal story.”
“It just takes an incredible amount of strength to speak publicly about such a personal struggle, so I commend you,” Madaro said. “We’re better off for hearing this story, and the Commonwealth is better off for you and your family.”
State Sen. Lydia Edwards, a member of the board of directors, delivered a congratulatory message via remote to Crystal Jaramillo, commending the courage she has shown during her health challenges and the leadership she has exhibited in founding The Cord Foundation.
In the beautifully composed souvenir program for the event, the mission and story of The Cord Foundation were noted. Following are the capsules:
Our Mission
The Cord Foundation is dedicated to bringing awareness to people who experience severe perinatal health challenges, and to build a network of support and resources for families and improve perinatal outcomes for parents and their children.
Our Story
The Cord Foundation was born from the challenges our family [the Jaramillo Family] faced during our perinatal and postpartum journeys – an experience marked by unexpected hardships that reshaped our understanding of perinatal health.
For our family, perinatal care that did not listen with intention to the needs of Crystal, was just the beginning of severe postpartum outcomes – outcomes that paint a broader reality for people who give birth and their children.
And despite significant investment in healthcare spaces generally, many stones remain unturned when it comes to addressing the most severe outcomes for women and their families. Inspired by our perinatal story, which includes birth trauma, postpartum psychosis and recovery, The Cord Foundation was created.