March of Dimes selects girl in North Carolina as its 65th National Ambassador.

The parents of Lauren, Nikki and Densel, never imagined that her first daughter was born three and a half months before with a weight of only 2 pounds, 1 ounce. They could not only watch and wait while Lauren received treatment in the intensive care unit of the Hospital of children of Charlotte, North Carolina, for his breathing problems and faced several surgeries related to a damaged vocal cord and a heart defect. Nikki said: “do not have our baby at home during its first five months of life was hopeless.” Her visited in the hospital every day, but during the night, if he needed consolation, could not simply walk into her piece to raise her. “These are five months that I will never return.”

Preterm births are the leading cause of neonatal death in the United States. More than half a million babies are born prematurely each year in this country, and those who survive often face health problems throughout his life, such as respiratory problems, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and others. March of Dimes volunteer for some time, Densel knew that, when African-Americans, he and Nikki had 50% more likely to have a premature child.

The DRA. Jennifer l. Howse, President of March of Dimes, said: “babies of African-American women have the highest rate of premature births in all racial groups.” “In 2008, the rate of preterm birth for non-Hispanic African American babies was 17.5% compared to the 11.1% among non-Hispanic white babies and the 12.3% of the nation are grateful to the family Fleming for having helped to March of Dimes to generate attention to this devastating problem”.

Lauren still has some problems of health because of his birth early, but their families say that it is progressing; It is a warm and loving girl who makes friends easily and loves to dance, draw, create stories and read books. The Fleming appreciate the research and treatments for March of Dimes helped Lauren design expectations and their other two children, Erin and Corbin, were born healthy.

As national Ambassador, Lauren travel the country with his family for sharing their amazing story, help to raise awareness of preterm births and encourage families and businesses to accompany them in the March for Babies ® from this spring. Densel said: “Knowing that my daughter has benefited because I and other volunteers have supported to March of Dimes for years is an incredible feeling.” “Nikki and I are excited to share our story across the country and invite others to collaborate and support this organization works for strong and healthy babies”.

The March of Dimes national Ambassador program is an annual campaign, which began in 1946, which puts face to the March of Dimes mission. United Airlines will continue as the official air sponsor program. The President and Chief Executive Officer of United Airlines, Jeff Smisek, said: “We are honored to be the air official sponsor of the program of the national Ambassador for the sixth consecutive year, gives us the opportunity to support a family that has become so and is committed to return”. “We hope that Lauren and her family travelling with United Airlines and remain committed to the fight against premature birth”.

March of Dimes is the leading non-profit in pregnancy and child health. With five chapters throughout the country, March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and mortality child.

to follow Lauren in his journey by country, visit the blog of Lauren here.