This appointment reflects the March of Dimes concern about the disproportionately high rate of premature birth in the United State among African-Americans.  Zeek was born 14 weeks early, weighing just 1 pound, 14 ounces.  His story represents just one of the more than a half million babies born preterm each year in the United States, and one of the nearly 103,000 African-American babies born preterm each year. African-American women are 50 percent more likely to have a preterm baby than women of other races/ethnicities.

Zeek and his parents, Betty and Corey, will travel the nation throughout the coming year to help raise awareness of the growing crisis of premature birth, which has increased by more than 30 percent in the U.S. since 1981 – with a special emphasis on premature birth among African-Americans. 

They will be introduced at a news conference today at Harlem Hospital in New York City along with RCA recording artist and Tony Award winner Heather Headley, who makes her debut as a March of Dimes national spokesperson in an education and public service announcement campaign called “I Want My 9 Months.”

“Premature birth is the number one killer of newborns and a national health crisis that must be stopped,” said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes.    We know the Taylor family will do an excellent job of reaching out to all Americans, but especially to the African-American community, to raise awareness of premature birth and to help more babies be born healthy.”

The Family's Story

Following the premature birth of his son Zeek, Corey Taylor spent many frightening days watching both his wife, and their tiny baby fight for their lives.  Betty had developed complications 26 weeks into her pregnancy and rushed to the emergency room at Duke University Medical Center.  Doctors told Corey that his wife was in danger of heart failure and coma, and the baby was in distress -- they needed to perform an emergency Cesarean section.  

While both mom and baby made it safely through the delivery, Zeek spent his first 103 days of life in the neonatal intensive care unit, fighting to survive.  He was given surfactant therapy to help his immature lungs inflate between each breadth, and went on to fight and win one medical battle after another — anemia, abnormal blood flow from the heart, and newborn jaundice.  Even after he went home, Zeek faced surgery to correct reflux problems, retinopathy of prematurity, hernias, and pressure on his brain due to meningitis, which developed as the result of a simple ear infection. 

Betty and Corey were both deeply affected by their experience with Zeek's birth and are grateful for the medical advances — many developed by March of Dimes-funded research — that saved Zeek's life.  “Our family is forever indebted to the March of Dimes,” says Corey.  “It's because of innovative research funded by the March of Dimes, and the specialized care Zeek received at birth, that he enjoys a happy, normal life.  We can't say thanks enough for his remarkable outcome, and we look forward to sharing our story with families all across the nation.”

Continental Airlines Sponsors 2007 National Ambassador Program

The March of Dimes National Ambassador Program is an annual campaign, started in 1946, that puts a face on the March of Dimes mission.  Throughout the year, the National Ambassador attends events and conferences, speaks with volunteers, does media interviews and appears with corporate leaders, celebrities and the President of the United States to raise awareness of the March of Dimes.  Continental Airlines, the world's fifth largest airline, is proud to be the official airline of the March of Dimes 2007 National Ambassador Program. 

“As the Official Airline of the National Ambassador Program, Continental is proud to come together with the March of Dimes to fight prematurity,” said Larry Kellner, chairman and CEO of Continental Airlines.  “This marks our second year as the official airline of the National Ambassador Program, as well as a national sponsor for March of Dimes WalkAmerica. We are excited about this partnership and look forward to joining in the efforts to help save babies.”

Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 3,200 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 151 domestic and 136 international destinations, more than any other carrier in the world. More than 400 additional points are served via SkyTeam alliance airlines. With over 43,000 employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with Continental Express, carries approximately 61 million passengers per year. Continental consistently earns awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth.  For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish language Web site at nacersano.org.