Dear Editor:
Premature birth looms as a major challenge to the heart of America’s strength – the health of our children. Today, one in eight babies is born too soon, many without warning and for no known reason. Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death. The survivors of premature birth can face chronic health and developmental disabilities for the rest of their lives.
I know this because my daughter, Faith was born 23 weeks early. She weighed only 14 ounces and was given 1 percent chance to live. Faith spent several months in a Neo Intensive Care Unit and received treatment developed through March of Dimes Funding. Today Faith is an active 8-year-old but still faces physical and cognitive challenges.
Premature birth is a common, serious and costly problem for us all. It has escalated at an alarming rate over the last 20 years, and there’s no downturn in sight. Here in New Jersey there were 13,882 premature babies born in 2001 among the families of our co-workers and neighbors. Sadly, most people are unaware of the scope of this problem.
This November 18th marks the first Prematurity Awareness Day, part of the March of Dimes national campaign to call attention to the problem. Learn what you can do about the problem of premature birth – visit marchofdimes.com and click on the baby band. When you do, our sponsors will donate $1 to research (up to $150,000). If we band together, we can find the answers that will save premature babies.
Cathy Aneke
March of Dimes volunteer
P.S. For more information please contact the March of Dimes at 973-882-0700.