| (PHILADELPHIA, PA), (JUNE 17, 2009) -- Mark Mills and his wife, Rajasi, understand firsthand what it can mean if a baby is not born healthy. On June 14, 2006, their twin daughters Chloe and Chessa were delivered ten weeks premature. It was one of the brightest and darkest days of the Mills’ lives. They welcomed into the world 2 pound, 7 ounce daughter Chloe, but also lost her twin sister Chessa, who died just prior to delivery. Their emotions swirled dramatically as they celebrated Chloe’s birth, mourned the death of Chessa, and worried about the struggle that Chloe would have in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
After a 7-week stay in the hospital, Chloe came home as a healthy, little girl weighing 4 pounds, 12 ounces. While the months that followed included a tremendous number of doctors visits including several specialist visits, Chloe has remained remarkably healthy. The Mills understand the significant role that March of Dimes research played in their lives, so they are active in sharing their family’s story to help the March of Dimes raise awareness and funds to help all babies get a healthy start in life by fighting serious threats to infant health.
Later in 2006, the family decided to hold a special fundraiser, a rigorous bike trek, to raise funds and awareness for the March of Dimes. The Mills thought it would be fitting to have a 2-day bike ride starting at the March of Dimes national headquarters in While Plans, New York, and finishing at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) where their daughters were delivered. The Mills thought it would be perfect to call the group the C.C. Riders to honor Chloe and Chessa.
The C.C. Riders will be holding their 3rd annual Tour for Babies cycling tour to benefit the March of Dimes on June 26 and 27. In addition to Mark and Raj Mills, the C.C. Riders cycling team also includes friends and family members -- Matt Arnold, Todd Morris, Jeff Petrillo, Dave Thiebeau and Mike Mills. This unique ride, approximately 130 miles, will take the group from suburban Westchester County in New York, through the Bronx and Manhattan, onto a ferry into New Jersey, then across New Jersey to Philadelphia.
“I was involved with the March of Dimes before our daughters were delivered. But since then, I wanted to go beyond my involvement in their annual walk, so this is how the idea of the C.C. Riders was created,“ said Mark Mills. “The scariest moments of my life were those sitting in the NICU, not knowing if Chloe would survive. Today, thanks to the support of the March of Dimes, Chloe is a happy and healthy. Now, I’m raising money and awareness for the March of Dimes so no other families will have to face such scary moments.”
The most urgent infant health problem in the U.S. today is premature birth. It affects more than half a million babies each year, with the number growing every day. Babies born too soon are more likely to die or have disabilities. The March of Dimes is committed to reducing this toll by funding research to find the answers to premature birth and providing comfort and information to families who are affected.
To-date the C.C. Riders have raised over $20,000 for the Pennsylvania Chapter March of Dimes. Contributing to that success are the many supporters and sponsors including CIGNA (flagship sponsor), the law office of Antheil, Maslow & McMinn, D&D Contractors, Legacy Planning Partners, Indian Ridge Provisions, FlowCoatings, and Line2Line Coatings. In addition, the Crowne Plaza (White Plains, NY), Trader Joe’s (Ardmore, PA), Starbucks (Bala Cynwyd, PA), Boston Style Pizza (Merion, PA), the Tavern on the Lake (Hightstown, NJ) and the White Dog Café (Philadelphia) are providing goods and services for the ride.
The 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 the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.
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