Local Family to Lead Danbury March for Babies as Ambassadors

On Saturday, May 4, hundreds from the Danbury area will gather for March for Babies to benefit the March of Dimes.  Leading the festivities will be 2013 Danbury Ambassadors, Paul and Dawn Orvis of New Fairfield, along with their son, high school senior, Paul V.  They will share their journey of Paul’s premature birth, and thank walkers for their commitment to the March of Dimes mission to give all babies a healthy start.

Due to deliver Paul on September 17th, 1995, he was born at Norwalk Hospital on May 22, 1995 – nearly 17 weeks too soon and weighed just 1 lb. 6 oz.  He ultimately spent 95 days in the neonatal intensive care unit receiving specialized care for premature newborns.  He also received surfactant, a therapy developed in part through March of Dimes funding, to help mature his tiny lungs. 

“The NICU experience was scary time, but made more comforting by the Norwalk
NICU staff.  We were very lucky that young Paul only had one really bad
day.  Other than that, daily progress in growth and weight helped us
through.  We had many joyous experiences with the nurses and the rest of
the medical team at the Norwalk NICU,” said Paul.

Today, Paul is a high school senior and is working towards the completion of
the requirements for achieving the Eagle Scout rank with the Boy Scouts of
America.  He maintains Honor Roll recognition, has played saxophone and
clarinet in the school marching, concert and jazz bands, and is largely self-taught
in bass and electric guitars. 

Having supported the March of Dimes for many years, his father reflected on
their journey by saying, “As Paul nears the completion of his high school
career and sets out to new challenges at college, the March of Dimes celebrates
its 75th anniversary by continuing its work to ensure that babies who are born early have the best chance for living a happy and healthy life, like Paul.” 

Already a member of the March for Babies Top Walker club for 2013, team Orvis Family has set their sights high again this year.  Paul has accepted the “Be Your Best for Babies” challenge to raise more donations than last year, and is on track towards being recognized as one of the Top 25 Youth Fundraisers in the nation as he has been for each of the past 7 years.   If the Orvis’ team were to raise $10,000 in 2013, they will have raised $75,000 since 2006.  Donations may be made online to the family’s March for Babies team, The Orvis Family.

March for Babies participants can meet the family and hear their story at
Matrix Corporate Center in Danbury on Saturday, May 4.  Lt. J. Paul Vance of the Connecticut State Police will also lead the event as the Chapter’s 75th Anniversary Ambassador. Registration for March for Babies begins at 9:00 a.m. with the walk kicking off at 10:00 a.m.  To register visit marchforbabies.org or marchofdimes.com/ct.

Danbury March for Babies is sponsored by Matrix Corporate Center, Reproductive
Medical Associates of Danbury, Connex International, Branson Ultrasonics Corp.,
Fairfield County Bank of Danbury, 98Q, and statewide sponsors NBC Connecticut
and Comcast.  March for Babies is sponsored nationally by the March of Dimes number one corporate supporter Kmart, Farmers Insurance Group, Macy’s,
Cigna, Sanofi Pasteur, Famous Footwear, Actavis, Mission Pharmacal, and United
Airlines.

In 2013, the March of Dimes celebrates its 75th anniversary and its ongoing work to help babies get a healthy start in life.  Early research led to the Salk and Sabin polio vaccines that all babies still receive.  Other breakthroughs include new treatments for premature infants and children with birth defects.  About 4 million babies are born each year in the United States, and all have benefitted from March of Dimes lifesaving research and education.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit 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. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.