If you’re thinking about Houston’s future, you should peek into its cribs.

Here in Texas, one in eight babies is born too soon. Prematurity can lead to long-term health problems and lifelong disabilities. It turns a family’s world upside down. It costs individual companies millions of dollars in absenteeism and lost productivity.

To address these challenges, March of Dimes funds research, establishes education programs and leads advocacy efforts that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies. I know, firsthand, the importance of a full-term pregnancy.

For nearly six weeks, my family held its breath while my prematurely born son, William, remained in the NICU/Level 2 Nursery so doctors could address an infection and complications with his heart, lungs and kidneys. Thanks in part to the work of the March of Dimes, my son is now a sweet-spirited, creative 11-year-old.

Children like William are the future of Houston. He and his classmates can take our community in new directions and to new heights. It all begins with a strong, healthy start as babies. There are lots of ways you can get involved. You may have recently seen the March of Dimes host its annual March for Babies event in Houston on April 27.

At Reliant and NRG, we were proud to walk with passionate and dedicated people who worked to make the 43rd annual March for Babies a success — for the March of Dimes and the families they serve.

Hundreds of Reliant and NRG employees and their family members joined the more than 40,000 attendees that came out in support of the cause. To date, Reliant and its employees have donated more than $1.1 million to the March of Dimes.

The walk may be finished, but the important work at March of Dimes never stops. More than $2 million in research is happening now in Houston, and—just as importantly—we’re building a community to support Houston’s children and their families as they grow and learn.

The future is counting on us.

For more information about the March of Dimes in Houston visit www.marchofdimes.com/texas.

Elizabeth Killinger is president of NRG Texas Retail and Reliant. She was the 2014 chair of the March for Babies for the March of Dimes Houston Division.

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