I've raised money for March of Dimes before, but this time my mission is far more personal. I am the mother of a preemie.

My daughter KayLee surprised everyone by arriving 5 weeks early. She was born with her eyes open, so she must've been ready. She was 5 lbs 5 ounces and 18 inches long, and healthy. However, her nursing reflex hadn't developed yet, requiring a 12-day stay in the NICU.

The doctors never found out why KayLee decided to show up - my pregnancy was run-of-the-mill, and KayLee showed no signs of infection or complications.

However, so many premature births in this country can be prevented, and this is why the March of Dimes mission is so important to me. Today in the U.S., 1 in every 8 babies will be born prematurely. Not every preemie is as blessed as KayLee was. Some of them won't survive, and others will have health problems that could last a lifetime.

The funds we raise in the March for Babies support research that saves babies' lives.

Please consider giving to support the March of Dimes mission: to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Every baby deserves a chance.

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