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STAMFORD, Conn. ? The following letter is from Steve and Melissa Moroney, the March of Dimes' 2011 Stamford Ambassadors:
In March 2010, our son, David, was born nearly three months early, weighing just 2 pounds, 11 ounces. Developmentally, he was not ready to be born and spent nine weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit before finally coming home. Today, thanks to advances in medicine and support from the March of Dimes, David is a very healthy toddler, and we are extremely blessed. David became one of the more than 500,000 babies born preterm in the United States each year. Prematurity is the leading cause of newborn deaths in the United States. Even babies born just a few weeks too soon can face serious health challenges and are at risk for lifelong disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, lung problems, vision and hearing loss and learning disabilities. Were working with the March of Dimes to drive awareness and ultimately prevent prematurity, because every child deserves a healthy start in life. November is Prematurity Awareness Month, and on Nov. 17 we will join the March of Dimes and its partners in Europe, Africa and Australia to observe the first-ever World Prematurity Day to focus attention on the impact premature birth has globally on babies and their families. Each year, more than 4,200 babies in Connecticut suffer the consequences of being born too soon. Worldwide, about 13 million babies are born prematurely, and 1 million of them die due to their early birth. Awareness is the first step to solving this problem. Visit facebook.com/WorldPrematurityDay and marchofdimes.com/ct to learn more about how we can work together for stronger, healthier babies. Send your letters to the editor to Anthony Buzzeo at abuzzeo@thedailystamford.com.
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