Team up with Publix and join the fight against birth defects and premature birth. The March of Dimes campaign runs April 9 – 30.

During the campaign, you’ll see six Publix families who have benefited from the organization’s work. Read their stories in the online exclusive section below.

Online Exclusive

Atlanta Division

Sarah, 10 years
Daughter of Store Manager Loren Hester, #1118, Conyers, Georgia

Sarah was born six weeks premature without a gall bladder, and doctors had to remove her appendix. When her jaundice didn’t improve, she was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia, a rare disease that will one day require a liver transplant. March of Dimes’ research helped develop many of the procedures she went through. After eight weeks in the NICU, Sarah finally went home. Although she has been in and out of the hospital due to complications from the disease, Sarah is like any other girl her age — she enjoys dressing up and singing.

Charlotte Division

Jaycob, Jaylin and Jayconus, 9 years
Sons of Baker Sherry Jackson, #576, Greenville, South Carolina

Born 12 weeks premature, Jaycob had the most complications — he had five surgeries to remove parts of his intestines at barely a month old. He also had a feeding tube and a central line put in his chest. In addition to preemie clothing and stuffed toys, volunteers from the March of Dimes offered to take care of and comfort the babies so Sherry and her husband could rest and recover. Today, all three boys are healthy, and Jaycob, Jaylin and Jayconus enjoy playing sports.

Jacksonville Division

Natalie and Madison, 11 years
Daughters of Customer Service Staff Julia Traver, #274, Orlando, Florida

Julia’s pregnancy was considered high risk because she was having twins, and her doctors relied on March of Dimes’ recommended prenatal care to keep her pregnancy safe. At 34 ½ weeks, Natalie and Madison were born. In their first few weeks, they suffered from jaundice, had difficulties maintaining their core body temperatures and were fed through feeding tubes. While they were in the NICU, postnatal technology provided by March of Dimes helped them survive and develop. Today, Natalie and Madison are healthy sixth graders who enjoy going to local theme parks.

Lakeland Division

Austin, 10 years
Son of Customer Service Manager Ashley Crisci, #457, Spring Hill, Florida, and Meat Cutter Al Crisci #797, Crystal River, Florida

During pregnancy, Ashley developed pre-eclampsia, and her kidneys began to fail. When her treatment didn’t improve, her doctors recommended an emergency C-section, and Austin was born at 32 weeks. The March of Dimes provided the equipment to help Austin thrive — he used a breathing machine for 3 days and received tube feedings for 2 weeks until he learned to eat on his own. After four weeks in the NICU, he went home. Today, Austin is a healthy fifth grader who plays baseball in his local Little League.

Miami Division

Anthony, 15 years
Son of Customer Service Team Leader Jessica Lucido, #1359, Riviera Beach, Florida

Midway through her pregnancy, Jessica developed HELLP Syndrome, the most severe form of pre-eclampsia. Doctors feared she would have a stroke, so Anthony was born 14 weeks early via emergency C-section. He spent 80 days in the NICU and received Surfactant and breathing treatments — both developed through March of Dimes’ research — to help strengthen his lungs and treat his respiratory distress. Today, Anthony is enrolled in his high school’s finance magnet program and plays on the junior varsity baseball team. He’s also a front service clerk at #367, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Support

Kyrie, 2 1/2 years
Daughter of Inventory Control Coordinator Korey Duty

At 26 weeks, Kyrie’s mom complained of mild body pain and a headache, and she was diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia. When medications to lower her blood pressure didn’t help, Kyrie was delivered by emergency C-section. Her doctors, nurses and therapists used life-sustaining equipment and medicines developed from March of Dimes’ research to help her overcome several life-threatening obstacles. After 203 days in the NICU, Kyrie came home with a feeding tube, and apnea and oxygen monitoring machines. Although she still has the feeding tube today, Kyrie is growing and enjoys watching popular cartoons.