Effort of March of Dimes hits home for local family

Since the premature birth of Leah Beth (center) last August, the Hugginses have become ambassadors for March of Dimes in Cherokee County. Things were going rather smoothly in the lives of Gaffney residents T.J. and Beth Huggin as the couple anxiously awaited the arrival of their first daughter.

During the first eight months of the pregnancy, the couple encountered few bumps in the road, expecting nothing but the same for Beth's final weeks with child.

"Everything was going fine," Beth Huggin said. "I had been told that if I made it to around 35 or 36 weeks in my pregnancy, everything would be fine."

However, a visit to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center last August would prove otherwise. Doctors induced the woman into labor, forcing her to give birth a month prior to the baby's due date.

It was the moment the couple had waited for - the birth of a little girl they named Leah Beth. All was not well though, as the child's trouble breathing prompted nurses to place her on a ventilator.

The couple spent nearly two weeks in and out of the hospital, staying up to date on their newborn's condition. While there, they received a wealth of guidance and support from medical professionals, a service the family believes was primarily due to the efforts of the March of Dimes.

The March of Dimes is a nonprofit organization working to improve the health of babies worldwide, particularly those born prematurely.

More than 8,000 babies in South Carolina and half a million across the country are born prematurely each year. Being born too soon heavily decreases an infant's chances of survival, while increasing the possibility of birth defects.

Prior to their daughter's birth, the Hugginses were not involved with March of Dimes. Since then, they have served as torch bearers for the organization, including them being chosen this year as one of two ambassador families in Gaffney.

"There has always been support for the organization, but when it happens to you it tends to hit close to home," T.J. Huggin said. "March of Dimes does a whole lot in the area of helping babies. If it were not for them, I do not know how we could have gone through this."

Now eight months old, Leah Beth still has problems feed- ing along with having to take medications for acid reflux and being forced to make several trips to therapists each week.

Even with those obstacles, the family continues to keep the faith while trying to persuade people to support infants yet to be born.

"Leah is a very happy and active baby who can light up a room with her beautiful smile - something we truly owe to those who participate and support March of Dimes," Beth Huggin said. "They are special to us because I know without their research, time, efforts, technology and money, little Leah may not be here with us today."

This year's March of Dimes' March for Babies will take place April 19. Registration for the march begins at 8:30 a.m. at Thomson Park, with the march beginning at 9 a.m.