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CLEVELAND– Each year, nearly half a million babies are born prematurely in the United States.

Now two mothers from the Cleveland area are trying to spread awareness about preemies.

“As a mother that you failed, your body failed and it was nothing I could prevent.  It just  happened so quick,” said Lisa Arotzarena of Parma.

Lisa Arotzarena and Jackie Surratt both have children that were born prematurely. Jackie’s daughter, Nora, was born two and a half months premature and only weighed a pound and seven ounces.

“I couldn’t touch her she was so sick. They had no idea what was wrong with her,” said Jackie Surratt of Cleveland Heights.

Lisa’s son, Dominic, was also a preemie and was born 11 weeks early and weighed less than two pounds.

“My son was born in a 29-week pregnancy and spent 151 days in the hospital in the NICU and had 8 surgeries. Me and my husband both felt that we needed to kind of pay it forward  through education and support,” said Arotzarena.

The two families have become good friends after spending time at Cleveland Clinic’s Children’s Hospital.

The ladies now serve as family chairs for the 2015 March of Dimes March for Babies walk in Cleveland.

“I would like to spread awareness because people do not know how common prematurity actually is and that March of Dimes can actually help prevent this in the future,” Surratt said.

Studies show when a baby is born prematurely, it is more likely the child will have health problems.

“Prematurity is the number one cause of infant mortality in this country,” said Dr. Ricardo Rodriguez.

Dr. Rodriguez is the Chairman of Neonatology at Cleveland Clinic’s Children’s Hospital.

He said clearly prevention is the key to avoiding premature births.

“Immediately after the mom knows that she is pregnant, early prenatal care really helps tremendously, clearly a lot of things that the obstetricians can provide through preventive care that will actually lead to as much better outcome,” said Dr. Rodriguez.

The 2015 March of Dimes March for Babies walk in Cleveland will be held on Sunday, April 26 at Wade Oval.

*CLICK HERE for more on the March for Babies walk.