On Sunday, May 3rd, hundreds from Fairfield area communities will gather for March for Babies at Jennings Beach to benefit the March of Dimes. Leading the festivities will be the event’s 2015 Ambassadors, Billy and Lori Monteiro of Trumbull, along with their three-year old son, Cristiano. They will share their family’s prematurity journey, thank walkers for their commitment to the March of Dimes mission to give all babies a healthy start and lead the walk with their team, “Cristiano's Crew.” In two years, their March for Babies team has raised nearly $5,000.
In the winter of 2012, Billy and Lori were looking forward to the April birth of their son. But in late January, at just 28 weeks pregnant, Lori unexpectedly went into premature labor. Cristiano was born at Bridgeport Hospital and weighed just 2 lbs. 9 oz. He remained in the neonatal intensive care unit for two months before coming home.
“Everyone warned me that the following months in the NICU could be compared to a roller coaster and that was very true,” said Lori. "There were so many emotions – sadness, guilt, anger. But I also felt happiness. I was happy after every weight gain, every oxygen stat that was lowered, and every time I held my tiny baby. He is an inspiration.”
“Cristiano’s only physical evidence of prematurity is the lack of teeth enamel and he is still missing a tooth,” continued Lori. “He loves puzzles, pretend play and trucks!”
Each year in Connecticut nearly 40,000 babies in Connecticut are born. One in 10 babies are born too soon, and one in 7 infant deaths is attributed to a birth defect. The mission of the March of Dimes is to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality through research, education, advocacy and community programs.
“The March of Dimes mission has impacted our lives in so many ways. We have become advocates for babies born too soon or born sick. We have dedicated our lives to helping others and raising money to help other babies live,” said Lori. She started a community service club at Discovery Magnet School in Bridgeport and has organized a Zumba-thon to be held at the school from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Friday, April 24th. Participants are asked to make a donation to “Cristiano's Crew.”
March for Babies participants can meet the Monteiros and hear their story at Jennings Beach in Fairfield on Sunday, May 3rd. Registration begins at 10:00 a.m. with the walk kicking off at 11:00 a.m. To register visit www.marchforbabies.org/event/fairfield or www.marchofdimes.org/ct.
For more than 77 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines and breakthroughs. Find out how you can help raise funds to prevent premature birth and birth defects by walking in March for Babies at www.marchforbabies.org. For the latest resources and information, visit www.marchofdimes.org or www.nacersano.org. You can also find the group on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.