Editor’s note: The March of Dimes is a sponsor of Chambanamoms.
A 4-year-old LeRoy boy who was born nine weeks early has been selected as the 2017 March of Dimes Champaign County and Surrounding Area Ambassador.
In 2012, Krista and Trever were excited about becoming parents and looking forward to growing their family. But their baby, Kelson, arrived unexpectedly at only 31 weeks, weighing 7 pounds, 12 ounces. He had a condition called Fetal Hydrops and was retaining fluid in all parts of his body. He spent his first 10 weeks fighting for life in a hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
“Serving as the Ambassador family is a way for us to show our thankfulness for the March of Dimes-funded programs that helped our family,” Krista said. “We’re walking in March for Babies because it saves lives and improves the health of countless moms and babies — and we ask everyone to join us. Our movement is bringing us closer to the day when every baby is born healthy and strong.”
Kelson and his family will share their story throughout the spring at MARCH FOR BABIES on April 29. We march on April 29 to hope, remember, and celebrate all the babies.
“The money raised by March for Babies helps give more babies a fighting chance at a healthy start in life,” said Peg Busch, March of Dimes spokesperson. “The March of Dimes is committed to providing comfort and information to families such as the Kuipers. By joining March for Babies, you also help fund cutting-edge research to find answers to the unknown causes of premature birth, and new ways to prevent and treat it.”
Like Kelson, about 380,000 babies – or one in 10 — are born too soon in the United States each year. Premature birth (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) is the leading cause of death of babies in the U.S. Those who survive an early birth often face serious and lifelong health problems, including breathing problems, jaundice, vision loss, cerebral palsy and intellectual delays. In addition to the human toll, premature birth accounts for more than $26 billion annually in medical and societal costs.
March for Babies will take place on April 29 at 9 a.m. at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana. Register for the event by visiting marchforbabies.org to sign up to walk; start a team with your company, family, or friends; or donate to help babies survive and thrive.
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines and breakthroughs. For the latest resources and health information, visit our websites marchofdimes.org and nacersano.org. If you have been affected by prematurity or birth defects, visit our shareyourstory.org community to find comfort and support. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Why do you walk? Is it because you are honoring a lost baby or celebrating a NICU grad?
Join the 2017 Ambassador Family, the Kuipers, at the annual March for Babies walk on Saturday, April 29, at 9 a.m.