First birthday, courtesy of the March of Dimes
My daughter turned one year old today. She is crawling and cruising, exploring and learning, smiling and laughing — a happy baby on the cusp of her toddler years. You would not know to look at her that she was born six weeks premature, that she entered the world at just 4lbs 13oz, and that she spent 11 days in the neonatal intensive care unit. Our family has been very fortunate to have exceptional doctors and medical facilities, to have loving and supportive family and friends, to have great health care coverage, to have access to prenatal education and information about prematurity, and to have a daughter who is a tenacious fighter.
We are very fortunate, but we know that our story didn’t have to turn out so well. For many newborns, premature birth is just the beginning of a long struggle for survival, where every breath is a small victory. For many families, a premature birth is an incredible and lasting emotional and financial hardship.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
The March of Dimes is working to ensure that one day all babies will be born healthy. After successfully supporting the development of two vaccines against polio in the 1950s, the March of Dimes refocused its charitable infrastructure to serve mothers and babies with a new mission: to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. The organization accomplishes this with programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy, along with the annual March for Babies.
My daughter’s first birthday was made possible by research funded by the March of Dimes. Help me in supporting the March of Dimes during this year’s March for Babies so that more children can see their first birthdays. Donate any amount by visiting http://www.marchforbabies.org/dlkinney0603 or clicking on the March for Babies badge to the right (if you are viewing this on my web site).
Best regards,
David
