March of Dimes: The Meaning Behind the Mission

It hasn't exactly been a smooth ride for the Graves family.

"Bumps, bruises, fights already! It's hard to believe where they came from," says father Matt Graves. 

Twins Jayden and Johnathan - now two and a half - spent their first few months in this world at the hospital.

"They had a disease called twin to twin transfusion syndrome.  So one twin just gets more nutrients in the blood during the pregnancy," explains mom Sandra Graves. 

Jayden was four pounds 6 ounces.

Johnathan - just one pound 14 ounces. 

"This was the first diaper they put on Johnathan - they don't even sell them, they just order them special for neonatal units.  And his was actually folded in half for length, because he was short!"  laughs Sandra.

It took a lot of care before the teeny-tiny babies were able to go home.  Since then - Johnathan has gone through a number of operations.

"Being one pound 14 ounces, I can't imagine the pain he has to endure.  When he's older I'd like him to look up to me, but right now I kinda look up to him," says Matt.  

Through it all - the Graves say the March of Dimes has helped them cope: 

"The incubators that they use for the babies, the warmers, the things they live in for the first few months of their lives - March of Dimes donates all that." 

And they hope when you look at their twins - you see the meaning behind the March of Dimes' mission.

"You look back on your photo albums, and books, and just to think they've come through all of that and the follow-up surgeries and issues and rehabs and therapies... It's a gift.  Every day is a gift, " adds Sandra.

Startling Statistics

Did you know -- one in eight babies is born premature?

In Georgia -- that's 342 babies every week  -- and 168 in South Carolina.

It's not just an emotional burden, but a financial one too.  A hospital stay for a premature baby costs 2 to 3 times more than a healthy baby.  The March of Dimes is working to save premature babies and prevent birth defects.

WSAV is proud to be a sponsor once again for the annual 5k Shamrock Run and Fitness Walk, Friday in Savannah's City Market.  The event benefits the March of Dimes, and it's the unofficial kick off to Saint Patrick's Day celebrations.