FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:              

Tim J. Arndt, Sr. State Director of Communications and Marketing

March of Dimes Indiana Chapter

(317) 262-4668 ext. 227 and tarndt@marchofdimes.com

Riley Lesh, Born 14.5 Weeks Prematurely and Weighing just 26 Ounces, to Serve as 2006 March of Dimes Ambassador for Indianapolis WalkAmerica WalkAmerica Supports Research to Find the Causes of Premature Birth

(Indianapolis, IN, February , 2006)—Weighing only 26 ounces at birth, no one knew if Riley Lesh would survive. Riley was not only small she was sick.  She was born 14 and half weeks early in March of 2002 and was suffering from bronchopulmonary dysplasia and respiratory distress syndrome as a result of her prematurity.  Riley was given surfactant therapy to help her breathe and at two weeks old underwent surgery for patent ductus arteriosis.  Each night as they left the NICU, Riley’s parents wondered if they were saying goodbye for the night or possibly forever.

With help from treatments developed with March of Dimes supported research and the caring and dedicated doctors and nurses in the NICU, Riley survived.  Riley’s parents Julie and Rick know the important role that March of Dimes research played in helping Riley survive.  “Surfactant therapy helped save her life,” says Julie.  “March of Dimes support of the development of neonatal intensive care units and the research that has helped develop many of the lifesaving treatments used there made a difference in the life of my child.”

Riley Lesh is one of over 11,600 Indiana babies and one of over half a million babies in the United State born too soon.  Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death and many serious health problems. In Indiana, 1 in 8 babies are born too soon.

“We’ve learned first hand what premature babies and their families need,” says Julie.  “They need hope, love and you! You help by joining WalkAmerica to raise funds for research that will find the answers to why premature birth happens and what can be done about it,” she explained.

The Indianapolis WalkAmerica will take place on Sunday, April 30th in downtown Indianapolis starting at the IUPUI Michael A. Carroll Track and Soccer Stadium and finishes at Military Park. The Indianapolis WalkAmerica is presented by St.Vincent Hospital.  Statewide sponsorship is provided by FedEx and the Cinergy Foundation.  Media sponsors are WISH-TV Channel 8 and Entercom radio stations 107.9FM the Track, 99.5FM WZPL and WXNT-AM.  To register for WalkAmerica visit http://www.walkamerica.org/ or call 1-800-BIG-WALK.