The local March of Dimes today spotlighted the efforts of doctors and nurses to help premature babies.
For it's Day of Gratitude event, the organization presented a plaque to the personnel at UPMC-Hamot's Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit. This month the March of Dimes worldwide is focusing attention on the problem of premature birth.
Jamie Altsman, whose daughter Paige was born more than 3 weeks early, said the unit was critical to helping her premature daughter and her entire family.
She said, "They make you feel like home as soon as you come in. You forget you are in the hospital. You are happy to leave your baby with them because you trust them. They become more of a family than anything else. it was the best experience in such a hard time."
The March of Dimes helps provide medicine and fund the start of the stork support program at the hospital.