The Sterling Heights High School student was born three months premature and weighed only one-half pound.  He spent the first six months of his life in a NeoNatal Intensive Care Unit where he was given a ten percent chance of survival.  Undergoing over 50 operations, including a cornea transplant in his right eve, Steven beat the odds and is now a graduating senior with plans to attend Saginaw Valley State University in the fall.

Steven’s attitude towards life and his visual impairment is remarkable.  He has been awarded with various awards such as the Optimist Award and the Beat the Odds Award.  In addition, Steven has participated in numerous school projects, including fundraising with Sterling Heights High School for the March of Dimes.  Steven’s feelings on his participation is “if more people get involved, we can save more premature babies lives, perhaps even prevent what happened to me.”

Sterling Heights High School recognizes the importance of the March of Dimes mission and in turn has been the top high school in the state for its fundraising efforts for WalkAmerica.

WalkAmerica is an eight-mile walk to save babies and will take place rain or shine in Metro Beach on Sunday, April 27.  Proceeds raised by WalkAmerica help the March of Dimes save babies through programs of research, community service, advocacy and education. 

The March of Dimes mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality.  Currently, the March of Dimes has entered a new prematurity campaign.  This five-year, $75 million dollar research, awareness and education campaign is aimed to help families have healthier babies.
Every day in the United States, 1280 babies are born prematurely, many so small they must fight for their lives.  Nearly 50 percent of premature births have no known cause.

National WalkAmerica sponsors are Cigna, Kmart, Allied northAmerican, Butler GUM, Discovery Health Channel and Famous Footwear.  Comcast is a statewide sponsor of WalkAmerica in Michigan.  WalkAmerica site sponsors in Metro Beach are Philip F. Greco Title Company, Kroger Company of Michigan, Fifth Third Bank, Comcast, St. John Health, Mount Clemens General Hospital, Richmond Rotary and Gillette.

People interested in joining above sponsors, Sterling Heights High School and Steven in the fight against prematurity can do so by calling 1-800-BIG-WALK or register online at www.marchofdimes.com.