A couple of years ago, I was at a family gathering and caught my aunt staring at me with a look of amazement. When she caught my eye she shook her head and said, “I wouldn′t have thought in a million years that you would grow up to be the healthy woman that you are today…” She then went on to tell me the story that I had heard many times before as a child.

“You were such an itty bitty thing when you were born…” “When you were born you could fit in the palm of my hand…” “The doctors said that you weren′t going to live…” These are the statements that memorialized my birth as a premature baby weighing just over 3 lbs. Looking at me today, you would never guess that I had such traumatic beginnings but the memories and stories still live with me and my family.

This year, I am serving as the Ambassador for the March of Dimes team for the Philadelphia Graduate Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Zeta Marching for Babies helps prevent the dangers of prematurity to the mother and newborn babies. Serious complications include respiratory problems, brain damage, and potential heart failure. I count myself as one of the blessed for having survived with only a dinner table story. I encourage each of you to be a blessing to others by joining Zeta′s March for Babies as we fight prematurity in 2009!

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