Joshua Hoffman of Weston, Fla., was born so early and with so many underdeveloped organs that doctors could not say whether he would survive or if he would ever walk, talk, see or hear.

On Nov. 1, the six year old was named March of Dimes 2010 National Ambassador.

"My first minutes of motherhood I was completely devastated," said his mother, Melanie Hoffman. "My husband, Lee, and I couldn't be more terrified, and I was positive that after just 24 hours I had no more tears left."

Joshua was born more than four months too soon, weighing 1 pound, 11 ounces. Today Joshua has blindness in his right eye and has a low field of vision. But that hasn't stopped him from doing what he loves most -- swimming, reading and building things. The Hoffman family credits the research and treatments funded by the March of Dimes with helping Joshua overcome his premature birth.

The March of Dimes 2010 Wyoming State Ambassador is Gracie Lynn Sterzik of Casper. Gracie was born on June 27, 11 weeks before her due date. She weighed 1 pound, 10 ounces and was 13 inches long. She spent the first four months of her life at Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center in Denver, but is finally home with her parents, Bill and Charlotte Sterzik.

Joshua and Gracie are just two of the many babies and children who are fighting to overcome the consequences of being born premature.

The mission of the March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. We carry out this mission through research, community services, education and advocacy.

Premature birth has increased more than 36 percent in the last 25 years in the Untied States, and now affects 540,000 babies annually. It is the leading cause of newborn death and costs the nation more than $26 billion a year in health care costs, according to the Institute of Medicine.

Wyoming is the only state in the nation without a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Therefore, all babies needing this level of care are transferred out of state.

This places a demand financially and emotionally on families. The Wyoming March of Dimes Chapter is developing ways to help families during this time. The first program that has been developed is a backpack that contains bathroom supplies for mom, a blanket to wrap around mom and then baby for transport, information on what to expect in a NICU, a camera and keepsake journal. Five hospitals in the state are participating in this program by giving a backpack to the mother for transport. We hope to expand to other hospitals next year.

Premature birth can happen to anyone, and when it does happen, it exacts a huge toll emotionally, physically and financially on families.

Check it out ...

November is prematurity awareness month.

To find out more about March of Dimes and its work, go to marchofdimes.com/fightforpreemies.

The March of Dimes Wyoming Chapter welcomes all interested volunteers and mission families to contact them at 307-266-6789.

PARENTING CALENDAR

* Birth Preparation and Baby and Beyond: These classes are available to all expecting parents on the third Wednesday of every month at The Casper-Natrona County Health Department, 475 S. Spruce St. Birth Preparation is from 2 to 4 p.m. Baby and Beyond is from 4 to 5 p.m. Open to all parents, whether expecting their first or fifth child. Cost: $5, scholarships are available. Register by calling Kelly at 307-577-9732.

* Love and Logic Parenting: Presented by Nutrition and Child Development, this class features hands-on tools to make parenting easier. Call Theresa at 237-1496 or e-mail trishazeller@wyoncd.org for more information. To learn more about the program, visit www.loveandlogic.com.

* Mercer House's 'Baby Steps': A support and educational-play group for parents of children birth to 5 years old. 3:30 to 5 p.m. every Monday. Call facilitator Kathy Herter at 265-7366 for information.

* Online parenting class: "Parenting Wisely," sponsored by Mercer House. For parents of children 8 to 18 years old. Teaches assertive discipline, using "I" statements, contracting with your teen, active listening and more. It also includes three support group sessions. Call facilitator Debbie Mueller at 265-7366 for more information.

* Red Cross classes: American Red Cross of Natrona County offers classes in CPR, First Aid, baby-sitter training and more. For information, call 237-8436.

* Parent-education seminar: The Wyoming Children's Access Network provides parent-education seminars for divorcing, separated and never-married parents. The one-time, four-hour seminar is provided monthly in Casper and other cities around the state. Grandparents, aunts, uncles and other adults close to the children are welcome to attend. There is a nominal fee that may be waived upon request, based on need. Preregistration is required 24 hours in advance. Call 866-726-3700.

* UPLIFT Fathers' Focus Group: Meets from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on the fourth Saturday of each month in the UPLIFT office at 145 S. Durbin St. Suite 201. UPLIFT provides support, education and advocacy for families with children who struggle with emotional, behavioral and mental disorders. www.upliftwy.org.