Christopher, son of Wallace and Adrienne Council, is the 2008 Marion County March of Dimes Ambassador child.

The Council family understands firsthand what it can mean if a baby is not born healthy.

When Christopher was born six weeks too soon, no one knew what his outcome would be.In addition to being early, Christopher was born with a birth defect called pulmonary valve stenosis.

Parents Wallace and Adrienne say they know the significant role that March of Dimes research played in helping Christopher get this far and they are grateful for the chance to serve as the 2008 Marion County March for Babies Ambassador Family.

They say they willingly share their story to help the March of Dimes raise awareness and money to help all babies get a healthy start.

Premature birth touches half a million babies and their families every year, including 173 babies in South Carolina each week. Babies born too soon are more likely to die or have disabilities and the March of Dimes is committed to reducing this toll by funding research to find the answers to premature birth and to providing comfort and information to families, says Crystal Hummer, area coordinator with the March of Dimes and director of the county's upcoming March for Babies.

Also, Hummer says, each year, an estimated 120,000 babies are born with major structural birth defects. Defects of the heart, like Christopher's, and of the circulatory system are the most common, affecting roughly one in 115 newborns.

"No parent should have to experience what we've had to experience," Adrienne said. "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 and those who need help to survive and thrive.

Funds raised by this March for Babies event support research and grants awarded to programs that improve infant and maternal health in South Carolina.

Walkers for the event and donors can sign up at http://www.marchforbabies.org or by calling (843) 488-3463.

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. Discovery Health, Mead Johnson Nutritionals, Outdoor Services and Ther-Rx provide additional national sponsorship.

This year's local sponsors are Anderson Brothers Bank and Weaver Company, Premier Sponsors; ArvinMeritor, Circle of Friend Sponsor; and Beneteau USA, LogistiCare Solutions, Marion County Medical Center, Progress Energy, SoPakCo Packaging, Time Warner Cable and Wal-Mart, Corporate Sponsors. South Carolina Multi-site Sponsors include Wachovia, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Carolina First Bank, and 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.

For more information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.

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