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.

We will be marching once again for our daughter, Stella Grace. Our little star was born on December 27, 2005 by emergency c-section due to my struggle with preeclampsia and HELLP Syndrome. She weighed just 1 lb, 6 oz and was 12 inches long. Stella spent six weeks in the NICU of St. Joseph Mercy Oakland before being transferred to Royal Oak's William Beaumont Hospital. There she would receive surgery that would ultimately save her eyesight. Stella was diagnosed with Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). The surgery went well, and she would spend another six weeks in the NICU before joining us at home on March 23, 2006. She spent a total of 87 days in the NICU.

Stella recently celebrated her fourth birthday. In the past four years, we have had numerous appointments with her retinal specialist, cardiologist, pediatrician, ophthalmologist, home health care nurse, and various therapists. Her heart issues have resolved themselves and she is no longer under the care of the cardiologist. She will still require the occasional exam under anesthesia with the retinal specialist, but those are becoming fewer and farther between. She wears glasses to correct her vision and braces on her feet due to low muscle tone. Stella attends a special education preschool five days a week. She is eager to learn and loves socializing with the other kids. She's your typical four year old. She's still small for her age, but what she lacks in size, she makes up for in personality. Stella brings joy to everybody she meets.

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