The Laughlins of Mt. Lebanon named March of Dimes Pittsburgh Ambassadors

Joy and Tadd Laughlin understand firsthand what it can mean if a baby is not born healthy. When their daughter, Emma, was born at 29 weeks, 11 weeks early, no one knew if she would survive. She weighed just 2 pounds, 3 ounces and spent 7 weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). At birth, Emma received surfactant therapy which is commonly used on many babies born prematurely to keep their lungs from collapsing. The March of Dimes played a leading role in the development of surfactant therapy.

For the first two years of her life Emma received physical and occupational therapy. But Emma caught up quickly and is now a very energetic four-year-old.

Doctors assured the Laughlins that Emma's early arrival was due to stress from a family emergency, but their son Brady was also born at 29 weeks. Like Emma, Brady also received surfactant therapy at birth to keep his lungs from collapsing. He came home on oxygen and stayed on oxygen for several months. At five months, Brady started physical, occupational, and speech therapy which he continues to receive. Today, Brady is a very healthy two-year-old.

Joy and Tadd Laughlin of Mt. Lebanon know the significant role that March of Dimes research played in helping their children, so they are grateful for the chance to serve as the 2008 March for Babies Pittsburgh Ambassador Family.

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 nearly 17,000 in Pennsylvania. 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 Joy Laughlin. "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 Pittsburgh, March for Babies will take place at 9 a.m. Sunday, May 4 at the North Shore River Front Park. Pittsburgh residents can sign up today to help fund lifesaving research and educational programs aimed at reaching the goal of giving every baby a healthy start.

In Pittsburgh, funds raised by March for Babies supports moms and babies through programs like smoking cessation, prenatal care for at-risk women and a retrospective study of congenital birth defects. This year, the March of Dimes investment in our mission totals over $2.5 million in Pennsylvania and over $88 million nationwide.

The Laughlin Family urges walkers and donors to visit marchforbabies.org or call toll-free 1-800-4-BABIES to sign up as an individual, start a corporate, family or friends team, or donate to help babies be born healthy.