My daughter Simone was born on February 8th, 2008 at 25 weeks and six days gestation. She weighed just under one pound, 11 ounces. Though she is obviously a very charming and talented baby, she would not have survived without the care of her lovely NICU nurses and the advances in neonatology research supported by The March of Dimes. It was a recipient of a March of Dimes grant who developed surfactant therapy, which reduced the number of infant deaths from Respiratory Distress Syndrome by two thirds. Simone received several doses of surfactant to help her to breathe and prevent damage to her fragile lungs.

I am walking for Simone, and for all premature babies and their families. Please join me in supporting the March of Dimes.

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