(Columbia, SC), (April 15, 2008). Mickey and Crystal Brazell and their daughter Rebecca are serving as the Ambassador Family for March of Dimes March for Babies. The event is May 3 and will be held at the State Fairgrounds.

Rebecca was born 15 weeks early on March 27, 2006 weighing one pound, three ounces. No one knew if she would survive. She spent 135 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Palmetto Health Richland. Her parents Mickey and Crystal know the significant role that March of Dimes research played in the life-saving treatments that Rebecca received and are grateful for the chance to serve as the March for Babies 2008 Ambassador Family in Columbia. They will share their story to help the March of Dimes raise awareness and funds to help all babies get a healthy start by fighting serious threats to infant health, including premature birth.

Premature birth touches half a million babies and their families every year including 168 babies in South Carolina each week. 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.

“No parent should have to experience the life-changing consequences that can result from having a baby born too soon,” said Crystal Brazell.  “We are so happy to have recently celebrated Rebecca’s second birthday—it’s another milestone in our miraculous baby’s life. She’s doing very well now, and that’s why we’re honored to have this opportunity to help the March of Dimes improve the health of all babies.”

March for Babies, formerly known as WalkAmerica, is the March of Dimes premier fundraising event that benefits all babies—those born healthy as well as those who need help to survive and thrive.  In Columbia March for Babies will take place on May 3 at the State Fairgrounds.  Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. and the event starts at 9:00 a.m. Columbia residents can sign up to help fund lifesaving research and educational programs aimed at reaching the goal of giving every baby a healthy start in life. Funds raised by this March for Babies event support research and grants awarded to programs that improve infant and maternal health in South Carolina.

This year the March of Dimes is honored to be hosting Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital’s NICU Graduation party for families who have had a baby stay in their NICU. 

Participants and donors can visit marchforbabies.org or call toll-free 1-800-525-9255 to sign up as an individual, start a corporate, family or friends team, or donate to help babies be born healthy.

In 2008, national March for Babies sponsors are CIGNA, Continental Airlines, Famous Footwear, Farmers, FedEx, Grain Foods Foundation, Liberty Tax Services, nesting.com, and Kmart, the March of Dimes number one corporate partner which has raised more than $63 million for babies.  Additional national sponsorship is provided by Discovery Health, Mead Johnson Nutritionals, Outdoor Services and Ther-Rx.

“In Columbia March for Babies is also sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Colonial Life, Carolina First, Michelin, Carolina Children’s Dentistry, SEC&G, Wachovia, Publix, WLTX TV, B106.7 FM and Palmetto Parent magazine. Sponsorship opportunities for the inaugural year of March for Babies in Columbia are available now.

South Carolina Multi-site Sponsors:  Wachovia, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Carolina First Bank, Founders Federal Credit Union.

Last year, the South Carolina March of Dimes invested more than $4.2 million in program services, including research grants and local community services.  Through these grants, the March of Dimes is seeking ways to prevent birth defects and infant death, reduce South Carolina’s increasing premature birth rate, increase access to prenatal care and educate men and women about having healthy babies.