| Sacramento, Calif. | April 23, 2008 — Their due date was May 28, 2002, but late the evening of March 12 Susan Misura gave birth to twin girls Reena and Alyssa. The girls, born 11 weeks early, weighed just over two pounds and required countless tubes, wires and medical devices to keep them alive. After 60 days in Neonatal Intensive Care, Susan and Bill Misura brought their daughter’s home on Mother’s Day, a special gift for Susan.
“No parent should have to experience the life-changing consequences that can result from having a baby born too soon,” said Susan “That’s why we’re honored to have this opportunity to help the March of Dimes improve the health of all babies.”
Little Reena had surgery on her stomach the day after she was born, and required a special feeding tube. Alyssa had an even greater struggle. Because of her premature birth, Alyssa could never control her muscles, had tremendously reduced brain function, and could not digest food very well, along with breathing issues. Alyssa was only three years old when she passed away.
“Our work with the March of Dimes is very important to our family. We need to let people know that premature babies don’t always make it, which is why we need to devote our resources to finding a way to end the growing epidemic premature birth,” added Susan.
The Misuras will share their story at March for Babies to help the March of Dimes raise awareness and funds to help all babies get a healthy start by fighting serious threats to infant health, including premature birth. The community can support the family’s fundraising efforts by visiting www.marchforbabies.org/misuragirls
Premature birth touches half a million babies and their families every year including more than 2,000 in Sacramento County. Babies born too soon are more likely to die or have disabilities. The March of Dimes is committed to reducing this toll by funding research to find the answers to premature birth and providing comfort and information to families.
March for Babies, formerly known as WalkAmerica, is the March of Dimes premier fundraising event that benefits all babies—those born healthy as well as those who need help to survive and thrive. In Sacramento March for Babies will take place on April 26 at 9:00 a.m. at the California
State Capitol. Participants can sign up today to help fund lifesaving research and educational programs aimed at reaching the goal of giving every baby a healthy start.
Visit marchforbabies.org or call toll-free 1-800-525-9255 to sign up as an individual, start a corporate, family or friends team, or donate to help babies be born healthy.
In 2008, national March for Babies sponsors are CIGNA, Continental Airlines, Famous Footwear, Farmers, FedEx, Grain Foods Foundation, Liberty Tax Services, nesting.com, and Kmart, the March of Dimes number one corporate partner which has raised more than $63 million for babies. Additional national sponsorship is provided by Discovery Health, Mead Johnson Nutritionals, Outdoor Services and Ther-Rx.
Locally March for Babies is supported by Sutter Health, Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento, Health Net, Toyota and Big 5 Sporting Goods.
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About March of Dimes
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.
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