2012 marks my 4th March for Babies and I can′t tell you how much I love this organization. They′ve had a hand in saving babies for 74 years!

This year, I′m walking in honor of my little sister, Lynn, who was born too soon. When my mom found out she was pregnant, she was also diagnosed with uterine cancer. The doctors wanted to terminate her pregnancy right away and do a hysterectomy but my mom said, NO WAY! She found a doctor who was willing to monitor her and my sister during the pregnancy. The cancer didn′t grow at all for the first seven months, but during the 8 month it got so large they couldn′t wait any longer. Lynn was delivered by C-section four weeks early. She went straight to the nursery (NICUs were still too new and not in every hospital) where she spent two days in an incubator. My mom was recovering from her surgery and didn′t get to see her until she was three days old.

Lynn′s case is special because the doctors knew she would be born early. My parents had time to prepare emotionally for the fear that comes with a premature birth. Many parents are not so lucky. Premature birth is a complex problem with no single solution. More than half a million babies are born prematurely each year in the United States – it is the number one killer of newborns. In up to 40 percent of cases, the cause is unknown.

This is why we walk – to bring hope to families of babies born sick and too soon. Please consider making a $10 donation here. I′m just trying to find 50 people who will donate $10 to reach my goal and help us save babies!

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