The Gyasi family understands the importance of the March of Dimes mission.  Anthony (Tony) and Afua Gyasi’s son, Kwabena (Kobby), was born 12 weeks premature.  He weighed a mere 1lb. 7 oz and ultimately spent nearly five months in the neonatal intensive care unit at UConn Health Center in Farmington receiving specialized care.  Kobby also received surfactant to help mature his tiny lungs, a therapy funded in part by March of Dimes research.

Today Kobby is nearly four years old and continues to make strides.  For three years he received nutrition through a “G-tube” but can now eat solid foods.  He also suffers from asthma and undergoes therapy for speech and developmental delays.

“Kobby loves music, riding his tricycle, cars and playing with other children,” said Afua. “Our experience has also inspired us to serve as parent-to-parent volunteer support at the NICU at UConn.  It’s an opportunity to speak to parents who wish to talk to someone who knows what they are going through.”

As Ambassadors, the Gyasi family will share their story 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.

“I don’t know what caused my premature labor,” said Afua.  “Birth is one of the fundamental things in life, but unfortunately, due to poverty, lack of education, and a lot of circumstances beyond a mother’s control, not all babies get to start life smoothly.  The March of Dimes and the breakthroughs through funding for research has helped ease the start of life for babies.  This is a noble cause, and needs to continue, because there just are no other causes that are quite as important.”

The most urgent infant health problem in the U.S. today is premature birth. It affects more than half a million babies each year, with the number growing every day. The March of Dimes issued a Report Card on Premature Birth, giving the nation a D and Connecticut a C.  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 who are affected. 

March for Babies Hartford, presented by the Hartford Wolf Pack, will take place on Sunday, April 26 at the XL Center.  Registration begins at 9 am and March for Babies starts at 10 am.  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.

The Gyasi family urges walkers and donors to visit marchforbabies.org, marchofdimes.com/connecticut 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.

March for Babies is made possible by the generous support of both walkers and sponsors.  Hartford March for Babies is presented by the Hartford Wolf Pack and supported by 96.5 TIC, and Telemundo.  March for Babies is proudly sponsored by Comcast, NBC 30, Bob’s Discount Furniture and CIGNA.  National March for Babies sponsors are Kmart, the March of Dimes number one corporate supporter, CIGNA, Continental Airlines, Famous Footwear, Farmers Insurance Group of Companies, FedEx, First Response, Liberty Tax Services, Mead Johnson Nutrition and Ther-Rx.

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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