Courtesy of the Edwards family

In September 2006, K.C. and L.T. Edwards cuddle with Danika at Trinity Medical Center near Dallas, where Danika spent 15 months after her birth.

KYLE GREEN The Roanoke Times

"She is the light of my life," says Leigh Edwards of her daughter Danika.

The Edwardses story may seem unusual. It is not.

According to the March of Dimes, more than 500,000 babies were born prematurely in the United States in 2005, the last year for which they have complete data. That's one in eight babies.

"That number has only gone up" since then, said Sara Long, director of program services for the Virginia chapter of the March of Dimes.

Long said the increase in premature births can be attributed to a number of factors, including older mothers, more artificial reproductive technology and stress. In addition, medical advances have made it possible to save many premature babies who once had much lower survival rates.

One of those advances was the development of a treatment, funded in part by the March of Dimes, that helps babies with underdeveloped lungs. Ashley and Michael Hall of Leesburg, this year's National Ambassador family for the March of Dimes, credit that treatment with saving their preemie's life.

Katelyn, now 5, was born at 25 weeks, weighed less than a pound and was about as long as a ball point pen.

She underwent heart surgery at 9 days old and suffered brain bleeds that left her with mild cerebral palsy on her left side.

Although they didn't have an older child when Katelyn was born, the Halls think a book like Leigh Edwards' "The Littlest Sister" could be valuable to any family with a preterm infant -- they may even buy a copy for Katelyn, who is getting old enough to understand the circumstances of her own birth.

"The book, I think, is a great idea actually because it sort of lessens the stress of explaining to the child who is still at home," Ashley Hall said.

Dealing with confused older siblings is just one of many struggles parents face when a premature infant is born, and the Halls hope to spend their year as ambassadors addressing some of those issues.

They are currently working on a packet of literature for parents with advice about dealing with insurance companies and other expense issues after the baby's birth.

And Michael Hall, an investigator for the Loudon County Sheriff's Office, specifically hopes to create a stronger support network for the fathers of preemies.

"There is not a lot out there," he said. "Obviously, the fathers need their support as well."

The Halls hope that their story will be of comfort and use to couples who are planning to start families.

"I'll tell you what," Ashley Hall said, "you learn a lot from other preemie parents and what they've been through."