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22
We Walk The Extra Mile So They Can
When Alexander Stopulos was born 4 months early, it sent his parents into a tailspin. "First we wondered if he was going to survive," said Megan Stopulos, his mother, adding that Alexander weighed only 1 lb. 8 oz. and was just 12 inches long. "Then, you wonder what will be his quality of life? How are we going to take care of him? How are we going to work? You worry about so much." Megan and Pete Stopulos, both Realtors at Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors, took time off – traveling back and forth to Iowa City to care for their infant in the University of Iowa Neonatal Intensive Care Unit while also spending time with their older son in the Quad Cities. At the time, Megan was the Director of Marketing at Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors. "It was a true juggling act," said Pete. "Our work definitely suffered because we had to focus on what was truly important at the time. We know people had to fill in for us and make do." Nearly half a million babies will be born prematurely in our country this year. The emotional impact of premature birth on families is high — and the cost to businesses is astronomical. According to the March of Dimes, childbirth and newborn care are a big part of employers' health insurance costs, representing the most expensive conditions billed to commercial insurers for hospital care and accounting for 7 of the top 10 individual hospital procedures billed. For all these reasons, Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors is one of the top sponsors of this year's Quad Cities March for Babies, a 3.2 mile walk on Rock Island Arsenal on Saturday, April 25 at 8am. The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. "We wanted to support Pete & Megan and everything they have been through, as well as raise funds for such an important cause that impacts all of our markets, our customers, and local businesses," said Caroline Ruhl, President of Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors. "We feel honored to play such a big role." After 158 days in the NICU, Alexander is now home and healthy. He will celebrate his one year anniversary of being home on Friday – just one day before the walk. "We are so thankful for all the work the March of Dimes has done," Megan said. "We know without the research and life-saving measures, Alexander may not be with us here today. Donations for the March of Dimes can help save others in the future."
