Tallahassee, Fla., (WTXL) - Dayton Bench is two-and-a-half years old, and he already knows he wants to be an EMT when he grows up.
His mother, Kelly, says its because he's ridden in ambulances several times. Born 28 weeks early, weighing only two pounds the tyke spent the first 49 days of his life in the neonatal intensive care unit at TMH.
Today, his mother says she owes her son's life to March of Dimes. "People ask a lot how March of Dimes has touched my life, and I just like to tell people that it changed my life." She says, "It made it possible for Dayton to be alive today and happy. It's hard to put into words what an organization that gave you your child's life means to you."
It is the role that the non-profit played in making Dayton the fire truck loving little boy he is today, that led to his being selected to be the 2017 Ambassador.
March of Dimes Ambassadors are chosen from their communities to raise awareness about the organization and its goals. Ten percent of babies born in the sunshine state arrive prematurely, just like Dayton. March of Dimes works to reduce the mortality of those infants in particular, as it has for 75 years.
Today a team from Tallahassee Emergency Medical Services brought trucks to visit Dayton and his classmates at Scottsdale Academy celebrating his success and survival.
On April 22nd the organization will host Tallahassee's March for Babies at Tom Brown Park.
