New Jersey, March 2009 – Born no longer than a ballpoint pen at birth, a premature baby girl who survived overwhelming odds has been named the 2009 National Ambassador for the March of Dimes, it was announced today.
Katelyn Marie Hall, age 5, from Leesburg, Virginia, was born very early at 25 weeks, weighing less than one pound. The family says Katelyn was given only a 5 percent chance of survival. During her five-month stay in the NICU, she endured many of the obstacles that are common to babies born prematurely. She was treated for chronic lung disease, battled many infections, underwent heart surgery, and suffered from bleeding in the brain.
Today, Katelyn is the joy of her parents lives. In many ways, she acts like a typical five-year-old – she loves to run, jump and play outside with her dog, Sequoia. But because of her premature birth, Katelyn has developmental delays and slight cerebral palsy that affects the left side of her body.
The Halls say Katelyn would not be alive today if it wasn’t for March of Dimes-funded research that helped save and improve her life. Ashley and Michael are determined to raise a million dollars, the cost of Katelyn’s medical care, for the March of Dimes so the organization can help more babies and families. They are well on their way with over $140,000 raised since 2004 when they first began what they call their “lifelong partnership with the March of Dimes" to raise awareness of the organization’s achievements and its efforts to give every baby a healthy start in life.
The March of Dimes National Ambassador Program is an annual campaign, started in 1946, that puts a face on the March of Dimes mission. Throughout the year, the National Ambassador attends events and conferences, speaks with volunteers, does media interviews and appears with corporate leaders, celebrities and the president of the United States to raise awareness of the March of Dimes.
Throughout the year the Hall’s will visit select locations sharing their story and the important role the March of Dimes has had in saving their daughter’s life.
With a welcome only a child could offer, Katelyn quickly acclimated with the children at Kindercare in Old Bridge, NJ. The children welcomed Katelyn in coloring pillow cases and interacting with one another while Mr. and Mrs. Hall had the opportunity to speak to Dr. Paul Marciano, Founder ColorMe Company, and the manager of Kindercare to share their gratitude of their efforts through Wonderwalk.
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 more information about the March of Dimes or March for Babies, visit marchofdimes.com/newjersey or its Spanish language Web site at nacersano.org.
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