The March of Dimes is an organization near and dear to my heart. Not only did I give birth to a premature baby, but I was also a premature baby myself. My younger brothers, Christopher and Charles, were also born prematurely – Christopher passed away shortly after birth, but Charles survived after spending months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Years later, when I was just sixteen, I gave birth to my first son, Gary Michael. He was three months early and weighed 1 lb. 13oz. Although doctors fought hard to save his life, Gary Michael did not survive. My time with him was brief, but precious. I later went on to have two sons (both premature) and a daughter. All three are healthy young adults.
According to the March of Dimes, prematurity is the leading killer of newborns in America. Preterm birth can happen to any pregnant woman – that’s why education is critical. Had I known more about the importance of prenatal care during my first pregnancy, Gary Michael may have survived.
Now I want to help other women have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. That’s why I participate in the Phoenix March for Babies walk every year. I first walked in 2007 as part of a team put together by my employer Cigna, who has been a partner of the March of Dimes and a national sponsor of March for Babies for the past 20 years. This year, I walked with my children and my grandchildren as part of our family team, “Thunder Babies.” The walk took place Saturday at the Wesley Bolin Plaza in Phoenix.
Remember – knowledge is power. By working together, we can help moms and moms-to-be take charge of their health and the health of their babies.
Rebecca Willard is a medical administrative assistant for Cigna Health Care in Phoenix.
This post is sponsored by Eastmark
