Infant Padovano twins named ambassadors for March of Dimes

Gerry and Natalie Padovano of Fayetteville haven’t been part of a reality TV show, but they survived a real-life drama when twins Joshua and Emma were born 13 weeks early last year.

The Padovano family will share Joshua and Emma’s story at the March of Dimes Kick-off Luncheon Tuesday so that volunteers and sponsors will understand how participating in WalkAmerica helps the March of Dimes to fight premature birth and its lifelong consequences.

Joshua and Emma had to remain in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit until April 4. The inability to bring them home for so long was painful, said father, Gerry Padovano, who is a lieutenant with the Fayetteville Fire Department.

One of eight babies is born prematurely in the U.S. today, many times for unknown reasons. To help find the answers, the Padovano family has volunteered for the March of Dimes, sharing their story because they feel fortunate that Joshua and Emma survived. “The answers can’t come soon enough,” Gerry and Natalie said.

Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death. Many survivors suffer from lifelong consequences including chronic health conditions and developmental disabilities.

The Kick-off Luncheon will be Tuesday at noon at the Wyndham Peachtree Conference Center in Peachtree City.

For more information concerning the Fayette Walk or the Kick-Off Luncheon, call 404-350-9800, ext. 209.

The March of Dimes is a voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a five-year campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish Web site at nacersano.org.