Originally Released: August 14, 2001
Contact: Alexandra Bessent, abessent@umm.edu, 410-328-9260
Ellen Beth Levitt, eblevitt@umm.edu, 410-328-8919

AN INSPIRING PATIENT FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN REVS UP FOR THE MARCH OF DIMES BIKERS FOR BABIES

Like most seven-year-old boys, Benjamin Mayforth enjoys playing baseball, is fascinated by helicopters, and sometimes picks on his younger sister. At the same time, Ben is very different from children his age. He was born with multiple , an underdeveloped lung, and one kidney. Birth defects, including spina bifida, club feet

Just hours after Ben was born, he was rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit at the University of Maryland Hospital for Children where he has been a regular patient. In seven years, Ben has undergone twelve surgeries, and more are planned. But the prospect of having to spend additional time in the hospital doesn't deflate this gregarious boy's dynamic spirit.

"He rarely complains, but as Ben's gotten older, he has started to ask 'why me?'" says his mother, Kim. She adds, "We tell him he is special and God has a special purpose for him."

Ben says he has found that purpose, "I want to help babies like me." And he is doing just that by being active with the March of Dimes. As the Maryland State Ambassador for the March of Dimes, Ben has already helped raise over $100,000 for the Harford County chapter and now he will collect more money for the organization when he takes part in the Fifth Annual Bikers for Babies event on Sunday, August 19, 2001, beginning at 10 am.

Nearly 3,000 Harleys, Hondas, and BMW bikes will make the 50 mile ride, which begins at Jones Junction on Route 1 and ends with a party on Main Street in Bel Air. Ben will actually be part of the contingent as he rides along in a motorcycle side-car and he'll be accompanied by a large pack of riders, including motorcycle police officers from across the state and hundreds more motorcycle enthusiasts who are interested in helping children with birth defects.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency that strives to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Money raised at events like Bikers for Babies help the March of Dimes fund research and education aimed at saving babies lives. To find out more about the organization log onto their website at www.modimes.org.

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