Charlotte, North Carolina, December 19, 2012 —

November 19, 2012 marked 10th birthday for Charlotte twins Ashlie and Allie Cincera. The twins’ birthday celebration was normal in the sense that they invited their friends and family, had a party at Sports Connection in Charlotte, NC and celebrated with birthday cake. However, there was definitely something peculiar about the twins’ birthday wish lists. Instead of asking for presents for themselves, the girls asked for donations to be made to the March of Dimes. The mission of March of Dime is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality, a mission near and dear to the Cincera family.

Ashlie and Allie were born 13 weeks early at St. Joseph's Hospital in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. Ashlie weighed 2 pounds 9 oz. and Allie weighed 2 pounds 3 oz. Allie had to undergo a major heart valve surgery after 11 days in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Post surgery, she thrived and was able to come off the ventilator. Both girls were discharged from the hospital, January 10, 2003, after seven weeks in the NICU.

“We are so thankful their story turned out so well. We will never forget the nurses and doctors who cared for our babies,” stated Julie Cincera, the twins’ mother. “We are also thankful for organizations such as the March of Dimes that help support research for premature babies. We know that many of the discoveries made through the March of Dimes/prematurity research, helped Ashlie and Allie in the NICU. For that, we are forever grateful.”

Ashlie and Allie, who are currently 4th graders at Polo Ridge Elementary raised more than $500 for the Charlotte chapter of March of Dimes and have asked that their donation go specifically to the local NICU Family Support program or fund local prematurity research.

“Ashlie and Allie’s entire story is just mind-blowing to me,” said Lisa Hall, Community Director of the March of Dimes Charlotte chapter. “Never would I have imagined that the girls could raise as much as they did! It just goes to show you that no matter how busy you are, always answer the phone. There could be a miracle waiting on the other end.”

Pictured: Ashlie (right behind left MOD bucket) and Allie (pink/cream striped shirt on right) and their friends at Sports Connection holding their donation box!