March of Dimes Ambassador Family Named for March at TAMIU April 30

Parents Carolina and Nephtali Garibay have recounted the story of the birth of their daughter hundreds of times. It is a story they are happy to repeat so often because it has a great ending. But when Melina was born, they were not sure that would be the case. Melina spent 19 days in the hospital struggling to survive. Luckily for the Garibay family, their daughter did survive. And today, Melina thrives.

Carolina and Nephtali realize how research helped Melina make it through her first few weeks of life. And they know that the March of Dimes supported much of the research that saved her life.

This year, with their 8-year-old daughter, the Garibay family became the 2011 Ambassador Family for the Laredo Division March for Babies event to share their story and help raise awareness and funds to help children like their daughter.

The nation’s premier annual walking event, March for Babies is held in 900 communities across the country, involving more than 7 million people. In Laredo, March for Babies will take place on April 30 at 9:00 a.m. at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU). Area residents are encouraged to register and raise funds for lifesaving research and educational programs at marchforbabies.org.

Each year, more than half a million babies are born prematurely, and more than 120,000 babies are born with serious birth defects. With the support of millions of people and thousands of companies, the March of Dimes has been able to reduce the rate of premature birth. However, there are still too many babies born too soon or sick.

“When Melina was born, a moment that was supposed to be the happiest in my life turned into the most frightening,” explained Carolina, “The fact that Melina has grown to this vibrant, loving child is a testament to her will and the March of Dimes ability to truly improve the health of babies. That’s what motivates us to tell our story and help raise money for March for Babies.”

“March for Babies is a great combination of doing something that’s fun and doing something that’s important,” Garibay said, “We invite all Laredo families to join us in walking together for stronger, healthier babies.”

The 2011 national March for Babies sponsors are K-Mart, Farmers Insurance Group, Cigna, Famous Footwear, Sanofi Pasteur, Bayer, FedEx, United Airlines, Mission Pharmacal, and First Response.

In Laredo, March for Babies is sponsored by H-E-B, Macy’s, Stripes, Laredo Medical Center, IBC Bank, BioLife Services, Wells Fargo and Molina Healthcare.

Join the Garibay family by visiting marchforbabies.org to register and start raising awareness and funds so babies that need help can survive and thrive.

The March of Dimes is the leading non-profit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.

(Media Members: for additional information, contact OJ Lozano at 956.682.7114, or olozano@marchofdimes.com)

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu