ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Gives Parents of Preemie a New Home

ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Gives Parents of Preemie a New Home

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Feb. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- ABC's hit television series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will focus this Sunday's 8 p.m. (ET) episode on a March of Dimes volunteer family from outside Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas whose child was born prematurely and whose home was later destroyed by a flood.

The Augustin family of Keller, Texas, received a new home in less than a week's time during the taping of the program in December 2008. The Augustins were selected because they are dedicated to helping other families with premature babies and because they are active volunteers for the March of Dimes.

Amber and Peter Augustin's son, Lane, was born severely premature in 2004. Two years later, on Father's Day, a flood destroyed their home as well as Amber's beloved photography studio.

"I take pictures for families of premature babies at the hospital because we never thought of photos while we were so worried about Lane's survival, and now I really wish I had them," says Amber Augustin. "Every parent, even if their baby is in newborn intensive care, wants baby photos to share with friends and family -- and to have the memories years later."

About the new house, Amber says, "I can't believe this is happening! Losing our home was a nightmare, but the silver lining is the support we've seen from our community and our family at the March of Dimes."

Lane, now 4-years-old, spent four weeks hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit at Baylor Healthcare Systems, and underwent countless surgeries before he was even a year old. Today, the preschooler still must overcome the challenges of his early birth trauma and on-going health challenges.

The Augustins have raised thousands of dollars to support March of Dimes research and other programs to help prevent and treat premature birth.

"My dream is to raise national awareness that premature birth is a serious and growing problem," says Peter Augustin. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition not only gave us a new home, but is helping more moms have healthy, full-term babies by highlighting the March for Babies this year. Donations can be made to our team, Lane's Light, or you can create your own family team by visiting marchforbabies.org."

Farmers Insurance, a national sponsor of the March for Babies, provided insurance for the new home for one year at no cost to the family.

About ABC-TVs Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, which has won back-to-back Emmy Awards as Best Reality Program (non-competitive), is entering its 6th season on ABC. The program is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. Anthony Dominici is the executive producer; and David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA.

About the March of Dimes

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The walk starts here at marchforbabies.org.

For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.

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Source: March of Dimes

CONTACT: Elizabeth Lynch, +1-914-997-4286, elynch@marchofdimes.com, Todd
Dezen, +1-914-997-4608, tdezen@marchofdimes.com, both of March of Dimes

Web Site: http://www.marchforbabies.org/personal_page.asp?w=121016871&u=laneslight
http://www.marchofdimes.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment