Jenna, Riley and Ainsley Buchanan named Ambassadors for the Greater Oregon Chapter
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The Buchanan Family of Oregon City knows first-hand the importance of the March of Dimes. Grant and Kim Buchanan's three daughters were born prematurely and suffered from health complications. Seven-year-old twins Jenna and Riley, and two-year-old Ainsley are healthy today, thanks to their outstanding care and research made possible by the March of Dimes.
Pregnant with twins, Kim knew that she was at a greater risk for delivering early. But she was not prepared when, at a routine prenatal appointment, her doctor told her she was in labor.
Riley and Jenna were born soon after at just 30 weeks gestation. Jenna weighed 2 pounds, 15 ounces and Riley was 2 pounds, 8 ounces. Both girls suffered from breathing problems due to underdeveloped lungs. Jenna's issues were more severe, with two collapsed lungs and a level one brain bleed. Both girls suffered from apnea, where they would forget to breath for 20 seconds or more. Jenna and Riley also received surfactant therapy to help the tiny air sacs in their lungs take in oxygen. They spent two months in the neonatal intensive care unit at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland. Today, Jenna and Riley are healthy and active first-graders who enjoy playing soccer and riding their bikes.
Five years after the birth of the twins, Kim and Grant were expecting their third daughter. Kim was closely monitored during her pregnancy because of her previous premature delivery. As a result of her prenatal care, Kim's doctor discovered a rare defect in the baby's small intestine during an ultrasound. The baby had jejunoileal atresia, kicknamed "Christmas tree." Her intestine was severely twisted resembling a Christmas tree, causing a blockage. Ainsley was born five weeks premature and weighed just under five pounds. She underwent surgery shortly after birth to repair her intestine. After just three weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit at Legacy Emanuel Hospital, Ainsley came home. |
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Now two years old, Ainsley had a second surgery on her intestine last year. She is fully recovered and chasing after her big sisters.
"Riley, Jenna and Ainsley are incredibly lucky to have been born in a time with medical research and advancements funded by the March of Dimes, such as surfactant therapy and NICU technology," said Kim. "The March of Dimes helped save their lives."
Stories like the Buchanan's are too common. One in ten babies in Oregon and Southwest Washington is premature, half for unknown reasons. Jenna, Riley and Ainsley survived, but many babies do not -- premature birth is the leading killer of newborns in the United States.
Through the Prematurity Campaign, the March of Dimes is working to prevent premature birth by increasing awareness, education and research to this critical problem. |
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Donating is easy online, by phone or mail / fax.
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Chain Reaction
High School students in the Portland and Eugene areas are making a difference through the March of Dimes Chain Reaction Youth Leadership Program.
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Greater Oregon Chapter’s 2004 Ambassador
The Hawkins Family will share the story of Nick’s premature birth and educate others on the importance of the March of Dimes.
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