WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., FEB. 26, 2009 — 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. Three 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 our family has many photos of Lane while he was in the NICU that are priceless. These photos allow our family to see how far Lane has come,” 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 Lane is a healthy thriving boy today.
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.
KELLER, TEXAS: March for Babies® volunteers in Keller, Texas on route to help demolish the Augustin’s old home for ABC-TV’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. March for Babies raises funds to help moms have healthy pregnancies and give all babies a healthy start. The walk starts here: sign up at marchforbabies.org
KELLER, TEXAS: The producers of ABC-TV’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition begin the dramatic reveal with the now famous “Move that Bus” segment to reveal the Augustin’s beautiful new home. March for Babies® volunteers and family, and friends from Keller, Texas, stand by to cheer for this deserving family that helps other families with premature babies. The walk starts here: sign up at marchforbabies.org.
KELLER, TEXAS: Amber and Peter Augustin and their children are overcome with emotion immediately following the reveal of their Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Amber’s favorite charity is the March of Dimes. Ever since her son, Lane, was born prematurely, Amber has volunteered to help the March of Dimes raise awareness of the problem of prematurity and to help other moms have healthy pregnancies and full term babies. March for Babies® raises funds to give all babies a healthy start. The walk starts here: sign up at marchforbabies.org.
