Tammie and Tom Krebsbach are fighting to give more babies the chance at a full-term, healthy start in life. Their daughter, Zoey, was born at 26 weeks and spent three and a half months in the neonatal intensive care unit. Tammie Krebsbach’s first child Lacey was also born at 28 weeks. Their children are one of the many reasons the couple is supporting the March of Dimes campaign to raise awareness of the problem of prematurity, according to a press release.

Through Tom Kresbsach’s business, Minnesota Corrugated Box, the couple is spreading the message through a specially wrapped semi-truck. The truck displays an image from world-renowned photographer Anne Geddes and the message, “Help fight premature birth.” The truck travels through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and South Dakota, directing people to learn more at marchofdimes.org.

“Tom and I have experienced a very long and painful journey trying to conceive a healthy child, I have had nine miscarriages along the way,” Tammie Krebsbach said. “I have been blessed with two very tiny little babies and I have seen first-hand the importance of the March of Dimes. No baby deserves to enter this world so fragile, and no parent should have to experience the pain that we have endured.”

In addition to wrapping one of the company trucks, the couple has personally contributed more than $26,000 to the March of Dimes this year to invest in cutting-edge research centers to discover the still unknown causes of preterm birth and provide education and support for families.

“Prematurity is the biggest public health threat facing our children today,” Division Director for the March of Dimes in Southeast Minnesota June Howard said. “Babies who survive an early birth often face serious lifelong health problems, including vision loss, cerebral palsy, intellectual delays and breathing problems. Together with couples like Tom and Tammie and businesses like Minnesota Corrugated Box, we can help give every baby a fighting chance.”

November is Prematurity Awareness Month. There are several events and opportunities to join the cause and fight premature birth.

Thursday: Chairwoman Chloe Bowman and celebrity chef Daniel Green are hosting the 2015 Rochester Signature Chefs Auction at the Rochester International Event Center. It’s an evening of great food and auction items to benefit babies. The evening starts at 5:30 p.m. and is sponsored by Rochester Motor Cars and Minnesota Corrugated Box.

Nov. 17: Mayo Clinic will light the Plumber Building purple in honor of World Prematurity Day, a time for the March of Dimes and its global partners to focus attention on the fact that preterm birth is the leading cause of death in children under age 5 worldwide. Visit facebook.com/worldprematurityday to learn more and get involved.

Throughout November: Pledge Purple for Preemies at purple.marchofdimes.org/post/ and join the March of Dimes to help fight premature birth.

For more information on how to get involved with any of the March of Dimes activities in Southeast Minnesota, contact June Howard at jhoward@marchofdimes.com or 507-990-8624.

The March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health.