Q&A with March of Dimes Aly Layman, Executive Director, Fort Worth Division - Texas Chapter
Gina Garza, Community Director/Communications Assistant, Fort Worth Division - Texas Chapter
This year celebrates the 75th Anniversary of March of Dimes. The nonprofit was first established by President Roosevelt to fight polio. Today its
mission focuses on improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.
The March of Dimes Fort Worth Division is part of the March of Dimes Texas Chapter.
Q: How does March of Dimes support pregnant women and new moms? March of Dimes primary goal is to help babies start life in the healthiest way possible. Educating the public, especially moms-to-be, on how to take care of themselves before, during and after pregnancy is critical.
We want moms to have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies. Premature birth, defined as less than 37 completed weeks gestation, is the No. 1 killer of newborns. In the Fort Worth metro area, 1 in 9 babies are born premature.
Q: How do you work with hospitals or families with a baby in the hospital? We are a resource to hospitals, prenatal care providers, healthcare professionals and organizations committed to ensuring all babies are given the best opportunity for strong, healthy futures.
There really isn't anything that prepares you for being a NICU family. We offer support and guidance as the entire family goes through this challenging time. Many times a family doesn't know what they need until they actually need it.
We give families whatever they need: emotional support including moments to grieve and triumphant moments of celebration. We also share important information, help them navigate difficult-to-understand medical jargon, comfort confused siblings or just lend a friendly ear when needed. We proudly run and staff the NICU Family Support Program at
Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth.
Tell us a little about the upcoming March for Babies walk that will take place in Fort Worth.The Fort Worth March for Babies will take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at Farrington Field. There are 22 walks that take place across the state on various dates, and the Fort Worth walk has taken place for more than 35 years.
March for Babies has been a national fundraising event since 1970 and has raised an incredible $2.6 billion. This year we're expecting more than 6,000 walkers, including a team from
The Mothers' Milk Bank of North Texas! The money raised supports local that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies, and it funds research to find answers to the serious problems that threaten our babies.
NOTE from the Milk Bank - We're still recruiting team members.
SIGN UP for our team!
At the time we were living in Wichita Falls, TX when my 8-month-old son unexpectedly passed. I remember the day before he passed, a lady told me he smelled just like heaven would smell. When we lost him, we knew God had another plan for our son.
My family now lives in San Antonio where I am a NICU nurse at a local hospital. Every day I see premature and critically ill babies suffer from digestive or other health problems. When given breastmilk, their health significantly improves. I always encourage moms who can breastfeed to do so because it is the best nutrition you can give your child, full of important antibodies children need in order to grow and thrive. 
As a mother of five beautiful children including my first son, I am so blessed to have been able to breastfeed all of them. Being a parent is a huge commitment, and I feel it is my duty to provide them with the very best. I believe breastmilk has truly made a difference in my children's lives because they are very healthy and rarely get sick. 
My youngest child is nine months old, and I am still an active donor to The Mothers' Milk Bank of North Texas. The nonprofit organization has been a huge part of my life for the past four years, and I am so grateful that I can contribute to such a wonderful cause. They helped me through a difficult time, and it feels good to know that I am now helping other moms and babies in return.
