I am a mom of two premature babies. My daughter Gracie was born 9 weeks early, and my son Carter was born 5 weeks early. Both of my children called the NICU home for several weeks before they were able to come home. Gracie battled heart defects, Carter battled apnea and bradycardia. Gracie is now a healthy 3 year old. Carter is now 15 months old and continues to battle respiratory issues on a daily basis.

Because of research funded by the March of Dimes, my babies were able to get the state of the art care that they needed in order to survive and thrive.

Every year, half a million babies in the U.S. are born prematurely. Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death and many life long disabilities. The funds we raise in March for Babies support research that saves babies' lives.

Without the research funded by the March of Dimes, our children may not have won their fight against prematurity. Please help us give other babies a fighting chance. Support us in the March for Babies!

The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.