Published: November 18, 2009 06:44 am      

Students help raise awareness

The March of Dimes created Prematurity Awareness Day to let Americans know premature birth is a crisis in the United States.

On Tuesday afternoon Woodward’s elementary school students joined others across the state to show support for premature babies and their families. Over 1,000 students from Horace Mann, Highland Park, Cedar Heights and Westwood Early Childhood Center simultaneously blew bubbles to represent the number of babies born too soon.

Physical education teacher Selena Marlatt headed the event at Horace Mann Elementary. She is the mother of 3-year-old Teagan Marlatt, who was born premature and is the 2009 March of Dimes Ambassador.

“The research done by the March of Dimes has helped prevent premature births. Teagan wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for their research,” Selena said. “It is still a mystery why so many babies are born early, but they are making strides.”

Teagan was thrilled to be with his mom at the school to blow the first bubble.

The March of Dimes mission is “to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.”

The organization funds basic and clinical research worldwide and supports services that help women and infants receive medical care and social services.

According to marchofdimes.com approximately 12.9 million babies are born too soon every year. The website also reported that the rate of preterm birth in the United States has increased 36 percent in the past 25 years.

Stephanie Soucek is the March of Dimes Division Director. She said, “even babies born just a few weeks too soon face serious health challenges.”

March of Dimes chapters across the country also will be having special events during the month of November.