March of Dimes Ambassador Family 2017 Is Our Family, Too
Shared with us by The March of Dimes:
The March of Dimes – March for Babies-Clearfield County has announced the Aikens family: Maggie, Greg, Melia, Carter and Baby Rayna will serve as the 2017 Ambassador Family.
In December, the Aikens learned they would be blessed with their third child. Shortly after learning the news of their pregnancy, Maggie, a nurse at Penn Highlands DuBois, and Greg were told of terrible complications with the pregnancy. Their baby, (a daughter) was lacking sufficient amniotic fluid. After weeks of testing and scans, Maggie was admitted to the hospital, she received treatment for the amniotic fluid issue for 9 weeks. She also suffered from pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes.
At just 34 weeks, Maggie delivered their little miracle - baby Rayna arrived weighing 4 pounds 6 ounces. Rayna was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at PH DuBois where she received specialized care and oxygen supplementation.
Rayna was discharged after 12 days in the NICU, she arrived home to the joys of her family, including big sister, Melia, and big brother, Carter. Rayna is currently being treated for clubbed feet but is expected to do well.
The Aiken family states they are proud to be the Ambassador family for the March of Dimes. “We look forward to supporting the March of Dimes and helping to raise funds so every baby has a fighting chance”.
The March of Dimes will host a March for Babies Kick-off on Wednesday, March 1, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Moena’s Restaurant in downtown Clearfield.
Representatives from local companies, Family Teams, and organizations are invited to stop by and receive team supplies as well as learn how they can make a difference by supporting the March of Dimes March for Babies.
March for Babies-Clearfield County is Sunday, April 30 at the Clearfield Driving Park Expo 2 building and track area. Families and businesses throughout Clearfield County as well as the Cochran family will join together in March for Babies to support the work of the March of Dimes.
“Participating in March for Babies is an important way to support the cause of healthy babies,” said Pam Koozer, Development Specialist. “Whether you walk to celebrate a baby in your life or to honor one who did not survive, together we can work to prevent premature birth and other infant health problems and look forward to a day when every baby is born healthy and strong.”
Funds raised by March for Babies help support prenatal wellness programs, research grants, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) family support programs, and advocacy efforts for stronger, healthier babies. Currently, the March of Dimes is investing more than $89 million nationally and nearly $3 million in Pennsylvania in research and programs.
March for Babies is sponsored nationally by the March of Dimes number one corporate supporter Kmart, Famous Footwear, Macy’s, Cigna, United Airlines, and Mission Pharmacal.
To join in, visit marchforbabies.org, or call Pam Koozer-Development Specialist at 814-765-1458 to sign up as an individual; to start a corporate, family/friends team; or to donate to help babies be born healthy.
