Local People
- Last Updated on Friday, 31 May 2013 21:43
Family Will Share Their Story To Help More Babies To Be Born Healthy
Parents Chris and Joanna Tekulve of Bethel Park were excited to become parents and looking forward to starting their family. But then their daughter Taylor was born 17 weeks early, weighing just 1 pound, 4 ounces. She had problems breathing, multiple infections and had two eye surgeries to save her vision and spent her first 3 months fighting for life in a newborn intensive care unit (NICU).
Parents Chris and Joanna Tekulve of Bethel Park were excited to become parents and looking forward to starting their family. But then their daughter Taylor was born 17 weeks early, weighing just 1 pound, 4 ounces. She had problems breathing, multiple infections and had two eye surgeries to save her vision and spent her first 3 months fighting for life in a newborn intensive care unit (NICU).
 Taylor Tekulve was born 17 weeks early, weighing just 1 pound, 4 ounces.
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“I can’t tell you how difficult it was, seeing our own child lying in the NICU, fighting for life. All our hopes and dreams for her hung in the balance,” says Joanna. “We felt so frightened. But thanks to the care that Taylor received, and the support of the March of Dimes for research and treatment, now we know the relief and joy parents feel when their child survives and becomes healthy enough to leave the NICU and go home.”
Finally, after spending 124 days in the NICU, Chris and Joanna were finally able to bring Taylor home. It was especially meaningful given it was Father’s Day.
Today, Taylor has grown into a healthy and active 11 year-old who loves to play soccer, ski and swim and is big sister to 7 year-old Lexi. Taylor is also the granddaughter of former Pittsburgh Pirate pitcher, Kent Tekulve.
Finally, after spending 124 days in the NICU, Chris and Joanna were finally able to bring Taylor home. It was especially meaningful given it was Father’s Day.
Today, Taylor has grown into a healthy and active 11 year-old who loves to play soccer, ski and swim and is big sister to 7 year-old Lexi. Taylor is also the granddaughter of former Pittsburgh Pirate pitcher, Kent Tekulve.
Taylor Tekulve, through the help of the March of Dimes, is now a healthy and active 11 year old.
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As the 2013 Pittsburgh ambassador, Taylor and her family will share their story and encourage people to participate in the March of Dimes’ largest fundraiser, March for Babies. The money raised supports community programs that help moms have healthy, full term pregnancies, and funds research to find answers to the problems that threaten babies’ lives.
“Serving as the Pittsburgh Ambassador family is a way for us to show our appreciation for our children’s good health, and serve as advocates for lifesaving March of Dimes programs,” says Chris Tekulve. “The March of Dimes has provided 75 years of support for research, treatments, educational and prenatal care programs that has saved lives, reduced the suffering, and improved the quality of life for countless children and the parents who love them. Our daughter, Taylor, is one of their success stories; a perfect example of what March of Dimes efforts have accomplished.”
“Serving as the Pittsburgh Ambassador family is a way for us to show our appreciation for our children’s good health, and serve as advocates for lifesaving March of Dimes programs,” says Chris Tekulve. “The March of Dimes has provided 75 years of support for research, treatments, educational and prenatal care programs that has saved lives, reduced the suffering, and improved the quality of life for countless children and the parents who love them. Our daughter, Taylor, is one of their success stories; a perfect example of what March of Dimes efforts have accomplished.”
The Tekulve Family of Bethel Park, Seated (L to R) Lexi and Taylor. Standing (L to R) Joanna and Chris.
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Nearly half a million babies in the U.S. are born too soon each year. Babies who survive an early birth often have breathing problems, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, and other lifelong problems. Even babies born just a few weeks early have higher rates of hospitalization and illness than full-term infants.
The nation’s premier walking event, March for Babies is held in 900 communities across the country and involves more than 7 million people each year. In Pittsburgh, March for Babies will take place on Sunday, June 2 at 9:00 a.m. at PNC Park.
“March for Babies is a great combination of doing something that’s fun and doing something that’s important,” stated Joanna Tekulve. “We invite all Pittsburgh families to join us in walking together for stronger, healthier babies.”
Join the Tekulve family by visiting marchforbabies.org, or call 413-505-2200 to sign up as an individual; to start a corporate, family/friends team; or to donate so babies that need help can survive and thrive.
The nation’s premier walking event, March for Babies is held in 900 communities across the country and involves more than 7 million people each year. In Pittsburgh, March for Babies will take place on Sunday, June 2 at 9:00 a.m. at PNC Park.
“March for Babies is a great combination of doing something that’s fun and doing something that’s important,” stated Joanna Tekulve. “We invite all Pittsburgh families to join us in walking together for stronger, healthier babies.”
Join the Tekulve family by visiting marchforbabies.org, or call 413-505-2200 to sign up as an individual; to start a corporate, family/friends team; or to donate so babies that need help can survive and thrive.
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