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March of Dimes Selects Premature Birth Survivor As 2001 National Ambassador
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., JAN. 9, 2001 - His chances of survival were slim, but tiny Justin Lamar Washington of Miami, Florida beat the odds six years ago and this month will take on the role as the March of Dimes 2001 National Ambassador.
"Justin is truly an amazing little boy," said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes, in an announcement today, which also marks January as Birth Defects Prevention Month. "The challenges he faced at birth could have resulted in death, but through the help of many he is with us here today." The March of Dimes works to fight birth defects, prematurity and infant mortality.
Early in her fifth month of pregnancy, Dorenda Washington began contractions while visiting her parents in Tennessee and was rushed to Centennial Medical Center in Nashville. Doctors there confirmed she was in premature labor and worked to prolong her pregnancy to save the baby's life.
"For Dorenda's baby to be born at that point would almost certainly have resulted in his death," said Sam Moran, M.D, of Centennial Medical Center. "We had to try to stop labor or slow it down." Dorenda spent a month upside down in a hospital bed, hoping gravity would stop her labor.
The effort was only temporarily successful. Justin was born on November 13, 1994 - four months premature and weighing only 1 pound, 8-1/2 ounces. He was immediately transferred to Centennial's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where he would live under constant medical care.
Because his lungs were severely underdeveloped, he was placed on a ventilator to help him breathe and given surfactant therapy. Surfactant is an oily substance the body produces to help re-inflate the lungs after each breath, but which premature babies are often not yet able to produce. This treatment was developed in part by research funded by the March of Dimes.
Justin underwent intestinal, hernia and laser eye surgery, the last to correct a detached retina resulting from the constant administration of oxygen. He also suffered from asthma during his first year and was treated for hyperbilirubinemia, which can result from a temporary liver malfunction due to prematurity.
Kraig and Dorenda Washington could only watch and wait.
"Looking back, I think I knew deep down that he might not make it," Dorenda said, "but I refused to give up hope." Kraig, who is in the Coast Guard and had to shuttle back and forth from Miami to Nashville every weekend, said, "At the time, you don't really think about it. You just pray for strength and keep on going. Only after you stop and look back do you realize what could have happened."
Justin was finally released from the hospital on March 22, 1995 and taken by medical helicopter to Miami and home to a nursery with enough equipment to resemble a NICU. He grew stronger and healthier with each passing day until the equipment was no longer needed. Today, Justin is a healthy little boy who seems to have no residual effects from his ordeal.
Parents Learn About March of Dimes Role
Last year, Dorenda, a flight service manager at American Airlines, was asked to help build a team for WalkAmerica, the annual March of Dimes fundraising event held in cities nationwide during April.
"When I heard 'March of Dimes,' I immediately thought of birth defects," says Dorenda, "but my we hadn't experienced that. I was then astonished to learn about all of the March of Dimes-funded programs and medical breakthroughs for premature babies. I immediately wanted to help because of all they had done to save Justin's life." In his role of National Ambassador, Justin will travel with his parents across the country sharing their compelling story with volunteers, community groups, companies and leaders.
"There aren't enough words to express how grateful we are to the March of Dimes for Justin," says Kraig, "so we're letting our actions speak for us by raising awareness of the March of Dimes mission, especially among African-Americans." The preterm birth rate among African Americans is 17.5 of all preterm U.S. births, as opposed to 10.5 percent for whites, and the very low birthweight rate (less than 5.5 pounds) is 3.1 percent, as opposed to 1.1 percent for whites.
March of Dimes Takes Action
In the 1970s, the March of Dimes became concerned that not all premature newborns were gaining access to the specialized care provided in NICUs. In response, the organization contributed start-up funding and equipment to help create NICUs in major hospitals throughout the United States.
"No one knows what causes premature birth," said Dr. Donald Mattison, medical director of the March of Dimes. "The March of Dimes is working to learn more about the major risk factors and to educate the public that good preconception and prenatal care may improve a woman's chances of having a healthy, full-term baby."
The March of Dimes recommends that all women thinking of having a baby adopt a healthy lifestyle and get a pre-pregnancy medical checkup. All women of childbearing age are urged to consume 400 micrograms daily of the B vitamin folic acid to prevent serious birth defects of the brain and spine.
Vanessa Williams Becomes Spokesperson
Actress Vanessa Williams, of the Showtime Network's original series, Soul Food has been named celebrity spokesperson for the March of Dimes 2001 National Ambassador Program. Throughout the year, Ms. Williams will speak on behalf of the National Ambassador Program, spreading messages about improving maternal and infant health across the country.
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