GEORGETOWN, S.C. —  Being parents to a healthy boy had always been a dream of the Moore family, but on Oct. 8, 2008, their son Blake was born prematurely.

Krystal Moore, Blake’s mother, said she developed high blood pressure and soon had severe breathing problems.

The situation turned critical, and her son was delivered at about 27 weeks at the Medical University of South Carolina.

The baby is now “almost walking” and is 21 pounds, his mother said.

When he was born, he only weighed one pound, 10 ounces, she said.

Krystal told her story recently at the March of Dimes Campaign kickoff event held at All Saints Church in Pawleys Island.

Ambassador Family

The Moores will serve as this year’s Ambassador Family for the March of Dimes.

“It was real bad,” Krystal said, remembering the emergency situation.

“I was admitted into ICU and I stayed there until Tuesday. They decided that the only way I was going to get better was to go ahead and deliver.

“I had fluid on my lungs. They didn’t want me to have a C-section because they said my lungs couldn’t handle being put under.”

Because of his early arrival, Blake had complications.

“He stayed in for seven weeks at MUSC,” Krystal said. “My husband could take his wedding band and it could go all the way up his arm.

“He had a heart murmur and level two brain bleeding.

Collapsed lung

“One lung was collapsed and he had to have two blood transfusions.”

Blake has had one surgery, but is due for a second operation this year, his mother said.

Other than that, her son is growing quickly and hitting all of his important  milestones on time.  

“He is getting close to walking and is talking,” his mother said. “He’s doing very good. We’re very impressed. I’m proud of him.”

Krystal and her husband, Brian, got involved with the March of Dimes walk last year.

This year, they have a family team, Blake’s Squad, participating in the walk.

They were also chosen as this year’s ambassador family.

Krystal hopes by telling her story, she can help others who are going through the same crisis.

“It’s definitely an honor,” she said. “At first I was nervous, but if our story can touch lives, I would like to help someone else. I’ve met many families that are going through this. I tell them about Blake so they can have hope that their baby can come through.”

Gift from God 

Today, they say their “feisty little miracle” is a gift from God. 

His parents say they are thankful to the March of Dimes saying, “because of you, Blake had an opportunity at life.”

‘Touching lives’

 Blake was described by Dr. Amanda Drosieko as “touching lives” during the March of Dimes Campaign kickoff.

   The March of Dimes will hold its major fundraiser on the morning of April 17 in East Bay Park in Georgetown.

The Moore family will lead the parade.

Dr. Drosieko is the March of Dimes Campaign Kickoff chairperson. 

She told team captains everyone walks together.  “Walking to remember, honor and celebrate the babies who touch our lives,” she said. “Premature birth has increased 30 per cent in the past two decades.” 

The Pediatric physician said she’s always inspired to see March of Dimes Butterflies at East Bay Park, saying a healthy baby girl is a pink butterfly; healthy baby boy is blue; premature baby is purple, baby born with a birth defect is yellow, and baby “no longer with us” is white.

Event organizer Coleen A. Sweatt, community director, said the organization depends on the generosity of people like those attending this kickoff  “to carry out its mission of saving babies.” “Volunteers are the driving force behind the March of Dimes,” she said. 

At kickoff, Lucille Rowe of Georgetown Kraft Credit Union team received an award for being in the Circle of Champions by raising $1,000 or more last year. 

For more information phone on the March for Babies, call 488-3463 or go twww.marchofdimes.com/southcarolina.

By Lloyd Mackall

Lmackall@sc.rr.com