Daniel Piepho was born too soon to survive. Born at 23 weeks, he weighed just 1 pound, 4 ounces. He died 10 hours later.
"We were told that our baby might be born early with complications, but it didn’t sink in that he could die," said his mother, Chantell Piepho. "His lungs were not mature enough. The doctors and nurses unhooked him from all the machines and brought him to us to hold until he passed away."
The March of Dimes helps moms have full-term, healthy pregnancies; if something goes wrong, it offers information and comfort to families.
Area residents will have the opportunity to meet the Piephos, who are this year's ambassador family for the Austin/Albert Lea March of Dimes, at 5 p.m. today at Sterling Bank in Austin.
"Because of the March of Dimes, my two other children were carried to almost full term," Piepho said.
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She and her husband, Charlie, are now parents of Caleb, 6, and Brianna, 1. The Piephos, who lives west of Austin, love spending time together and going out on the lake fishing.
"We're very happy to be the ambassador family," said Chantell. "We're able to show people that with their support, March of Dimes-funded research has provided doctors to help me have two healthy children. In one way or another, every child has benefited from the March of Dimes."
