| Manhattan, KS—Zachary and his parents haven’t been part of a TV show, but they have survived a real-life drama when Zachary was born, 15 weeks early, weighing only 1 ˝ pounds and 12 inches long. As ambassadors, the Butchart family will share Zachary’s story so that volunteers and sponsors will understand how participating in WalkAmerica helps the March of Dimes fight premature birth and its lifelong consequences.
“Zachary was born on December 12th, he had just entered his 25th week of gestation. After an emergency delivery, Zachary had many complications due to his prematurity. These included; respiratory distress, patent ductus arteriosis, intraventricula hemorrhage, gastrointestinal strictures, retinopathy of prematurity and numerous infections. Zachary received surfactant therapy, a lung treatment made possible from funding by the March of Dimes, while in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), also made possible from funding by the March of Dimes. Zachary was released from the hospital after three months at just less than four pounds. We were truly blessed with the outstanding care we received by the March of Dimes and the hospital,” said Dr. Chris Butchart and wife Claudia, Zachary’s parents.
One in eight babies is born prematurely in the U.S. today, many times for unknown reasons. To help find the answers, the Butchart family has become volunteers for the March of Dimes, sharing their story because they feel fortunate that Zachary survived. Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death. Many babies that do survive suffer lifelong consequences including chronic health conditions and developmental disabilities.
Zachary is now a healthy six-year old and is inviting Manhattan to join him in WalkAmerica on Saturday, May 1st at the Kansas State Student Union Plaza to help the March of Dimes find the answers to why premature birth happens and how it can be stopped. Claudia says, “The answers can’t come soon enough.” For more information call DeAnn Waldron at 785.776.0659 or dwaldron1@cox.net.
The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a five-year campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at www.marchofdimes.com or its Spanish Web site at www.nacersano.org. |
