Premature Birth Led Mother To Make Her Mark On A New Path

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DENVER (CBS4) - The director of the March of Dimes for Colorado is making her mark by helping children, but Kathryn Marshall never thought it would be her child who needed help.

The March of Dimes has changed Marshall's professional as well as her personal life.

"We were devastated. We had no idea that that could happen to us," Marshall said.

Marshall was pursuing a career in public relations when her daughter was born nine weeks premature.

"What was more devastating, she had also suffered a stroke in utero, which means she had a stroke before she was even born," Marshall said.

Suddenly they were looking at a different life for their first child, Jordan. It was nothing they were prepared for.

"They told us that Jordan may never be able to walk, talk, ride a bike," she said. "Thankfully, because of the care, treatment and medications she received while in The Children's Hospital … and that was developed by the March of Dimes, she's here today."

Marshall said Jordan is doing things they didn't think she would be able to do.

"She can ride a she bike, she is skiing, she can swim."

It's not often that the same organization that helps save your child's life is the same organization that you'll one day direct.

"Our mission is to prevent birth defects, infant mortality, premature birth; which today is one of the leading causes of babies not surviving."

It's the March of Dimes 75th anniversary and the organization is making a difference. Rates of premature births are on the decline and Colorado has seen a five-year improvement in those rates.

"There are so many kids that are born these days; they are born healthy. The March of Dimes helps them. There are kids who are born with challenges and the March of Dimes provides a lot of treatments and medications and educational materials and support to really enable them to go on and live their lives," Marshall said. "We're really proud of what the organization has accomplished."

LINK: March of Dimes Colorado

Read more on the website of CBS4 partner the Denver Business Journal.