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Susan Lucci Takes on a New Role as Partner With the March of Dimes National Ambassador
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., JANUARY 6, 2000 -- As All My Children’s Erica Kane, she has survived kidnappings and airplane crashes, stared down a grizzly bear, posed as a nun, driven a race car and attempted a daring helicopter prison break. But, as Susan Lucci, she is the mother of two grown children – who is joining with the March of Dimes this year to help save babies.
The Emmy-winning Ms. Lucci will serve as spokesperson for the March of Dimes Year 2000 National Ambassador Program, it was announced today by Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. In her role she will work with this year’s National Ambassador, six-year-old Mackenzie Brooks.
"People around the country connect with Susan," Dr. Howse said. "Her interest in our mission to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality -- and her successful motherhood -- will help women realize the importance of the health of their babies and their own health before, during and after pregnancy."
In addition to marking the start of her work with The March of Dimes, this month also marks National Birth Defects Prevention Month.
"No matter what wonderful things happen in life, I’ve found that nothing’s as important as the health of your children," said Ms. Lucci. "Through my work with the March of Dimes National Ambassador I plan to help give babies all over the country the opportunity for a healthier beginning."
This year’s National Ambassador, Mackenzie Brooks, is today a healthy six-year-old girl from Ridgewood, New Jersey. But on June 5, 1993 she was born eight weeks premature in an emergency cesarean section when her mother began to hemorrhage. Weighing only three pounds, eight ounces, Mackenzie was rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Hackensack University Medical Center. Established with the help of the March of Dimes, NICUs provide endangered babies greater chances for survival.
Within hours Mackenzie went into severe respiratory distress and her lungs collapsed. Surfactant therapy was her only chance for survival. Developed with funding from the March of Dimes, surfactant therapy enables a premature baby’s lungs to function properly. For Mackenzie, it was a lifesaver.
"Without the hospital’s NICU and the other breakthroughs achieved by the March of Dimes, I don’t think Mackenzie would have made it," said her mother, Gail Brooks.
As the March of Dimes Year 2000 National Ambassador, Mackenzie will share her story with volunteers, celebrities and government officials nationwide. As the program’s spokesperson, Ms. Lucci will join Mackenzie in spreading the message about the March of Dimes successful fight to save babies.
"Mackenzie is proof that by giving your time to the March of Dimes you really do make a difference in the lives of so many mothers and fathers and their babies," said Ms. Lucci.
Ms. Lucci is currently starring in Broadway’s Annie Get Your Gun and has held leading roles in a number of prime time television movies. In 1991, she launched the Susan Lucci Collection of beauty products, marketed through QVC, and recently introduced her own fragrance. She is also the inspiration for Mattel's "Daytime Drama Series" of collector's dolls, celebrating the romances of Erica Kane.
In addition to her 1999 Emmy Award for Outstanding Actress, Ms. Lucci has been honored repeatedly for her portrayal of Erica Kane. She received the 1992 People's Choice Award, the 1993 Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Lead Actress, the 1994 Crystal Apple Award, the 1985 People magazine poll as Best Soap Actress, the 1988 Soap Opera Digest Editor's Award for Outstanding Contribution to Daytime Television, the 1989 Canadian TV Guide People's Choice Award for Best Soap Actress, the Italian-American Welfare League's "Woman of the Year," as well as 19 Emmy nominations for Outstanding Actress.
In 1999, Soap Opera Digest named her "Woman of the Year." Ms. Lucci was also one of a select group of individuals, including General Norman Schwarzkopf, to be honored with a prestigious American Academy of Achievement Award, in June 1991.
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