Minnesota families deliver baskets of goodies to say thanks to doctors & nurses!

Edina, MN, November 17, 2012 —

15 million babies are born too soon around the world – a half million of them right here in the United States.  On World Prematurity Day November 17, families in Minnesota helped spread awareness of the problems of premature birth by sharing their story, spreading hope and saying thank you to the doctors and nurses who cared for the most fragile of babies.

Families presented Day of Gratitude baskets filled with goodies like candies and cookies as well as apples and March of Dimes resources to hospitals and clinics around the state.

Carter Werket helped his parents deliver baskets to Southdale Pediatrics in Burnsville.  They also passed out chocolate kisses and Carter's story to 75 people in their neighborhood to celebrate the March of Dimes 75th anniversary.

Heidi Case and daughter Ellery delivered their basket of cookies & apples to Minnesota Perinatal Physicians in Woodbury with nurse Nancy and Dr. Ladella!

Jill Weston delivered this beautiful gift basket to St. Mary's Hospital NICU in Rochester.  It includes NICU Family Support materials to provide comfort and information to families.

Dillon Hastings shared his day of gratitude baskets at Children's Hospitals and Clinics in Minneapolis!  Dillon and mom Marina got their at 6 am to catch two shifts of nurses!

Joanna Howe took her 29-weeker Isaiah to nurse Jolene at Fairview Lakes Medical Center in Wyoming!

Sadie Cinnamon was so excited to share her basket with Nurse Amanda at Children's Hospital's NICU in Minneapolis.  Sadie turned 5 years-old this week and Nurse Amanda remembered her well!

Chloe and little sister Fiona Siverson delivered their Day of Gratitude gift basket to Park Nicollet OB Clinic.

Reagan Miller couldn't help but taste a little of the cupcake while sharing her Day of Gratitude basket with the great nurses and doctors at St. Mary's at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.