Wednesday, January 31, 2001
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Wednesday, January 31, 2001 |
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March of Dimes ambassador chosen One-year-old Kyleigh Melissa Moore has been selected to represent the Fayette County March of Dimes WalkAmerica as a Special Ambassador during 2001. Through the years, Special Ambassadors have played an important role in spreading the message about the March of Dimes fight to save babies. The March of Dimes WalkAmerica is scheduled for Saturday, April 28. Born at 26 weeks (three months premature) and weighing only 2 lbs. 1.7 oz., Kyleigh was delivered Sept. 9, 1999 at Spalding Regional Hospital. Due to the necessary critical care, the doctors transported her to The Medical Center in Columbus. She remained on the ventilator for several weeks and sustained a heart murmur for weeks after she was born. The murmur was caused by a condition called patent ductus arteriosus. This is when a shunt in the heart does not close as typical of a full term baby. After two separate treatments, the murmur was still present. As the doctors prepared for surgery on Kyleigh's heart, they agreed to make one last hopeful treatment, and through one of many miracles in this little girl's life, the third treatment closed the shunt, leaving no signs of a murmur. Kyleigh returned home to Griffin Nov. 24, the day before Thanksgiving. Currently, she is struggling with reflux, but after months of medications, she is starting to get this under control as well. "Had it not been for the many advancements in medicines and treatments for premature babies, Kyleigh's first year may not have had such a wonderful and joyous ending," said Kenneth and Juli Moore, parents of Kyleigh, who will walk in the Griffin WalkAmerica Sept. 30 at First United Methodist Church. "We are forever grateful for the commitment of the March of Dimes and its volunteers for making a difference in the life of our daughter," she said. Funds raised in WalkAmerica support research and programs that benefit babies across the nation and in Fayette County. The March of Dimes is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. For information, visit the March of Dimes home page www.modimes.org. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education and advocacy that save babies.
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