DOWNERS GROVE – Henry Greske weighed just 2 pounds, 3 ounces, when he was at just 26 weeks gestation at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital. Now, more than a year later, he’s a happy 13-month-old who loves to read, play with his dogs and adores Mickey Mouse.
In celebration of Henry, the Greske family, of Bolingbrook, will represent the March of Dimes as the 2013 DuPage County March for Babies Ambassador Family. About 2,000 people will gather at the Naperville Riverwalk at 8 a.m. April 28 for registration. DuPage County March for Babies is a 3.1-mile walk that will kick off at 9 a.m.
For a preemie born at 26 weeks, Henry amazed his doctors and nurses as he was looking around, trying to cry and breathing on his own, all of which are difficult for babies born this early. He stayed in Good Samaritan Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for more than three months but did not experience many complications.
“We truly believe that without the research and discoveries that the March of Dimes has made and continues to make, Henry might not be here today,” said his mother, Kristin Greske. “Every baby deserves to be born healthy and March of Dimes is working to see that dream become a reality.”
Good Samaritan Hospital holds a Level III designation for obstetric, perinatal and neonatal services, the highest level designated by the state of Illinois for the care of high-risk mothers and critically ill or premature babies.
“Every year we gather for this walk with our healthcare team and meet up with past families whom we cared for,” said Peggy Farrell, the hospital’s NICU/pediatric manager. “It’s like a mini-reunion for a great cause – healthy babies.”
For more information about March for Babies, or to join the Good Samaritan Hospital team, visit https://www.marchforbabies.org. A T-shirt is included with your $30 donation.
Tammie Souza of FOX 32 Chicago will emcee the event. Music will be provided by WILV 100.3 Rewind.
March for Babies began in 1970 and has raised more than $2 billion to date for research, education, advocacy and community support to help prevent premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality. It takes place in about 750 communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In its 43rd year, March for Babies is expected to draw more than 20,000 companies and 7 million people across America.
Each year, nearly 500,000 babies are born too soon. But far too many die, making premature birth the leading cause of death in newborns. In Illinois, 1 in 8 babies are born prematurely every year.
DuPage County March for Babies is sponsored by Nicor, Carson Pirie Scott, Northrop Grumman and Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital.