CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- In Mecklenburg County this year, an estimated 1,600 babies will be born prematurely. That can mean serious health problems, even the chance they won't survive.

Ethan Olson, and his twin sister Grace, weighed less than 2 pounds when they were born, nearly 15 weeks early. Their diapers were so small; they don't even fit a baby doll. Their feet were not even as big as key.

“We didn't know if they were going to survive. You just have to take every moment,” their mother Stephanie said.

But survive they did. And now, they are energetic, happy, healthy six-year-olds.

The entire family will be walking together soon to raise money for the March of Dimes.

“I think that everyone wants babies to be born healthy and that's what their goal is. And I think that is a cause that anybody can get around,” Olson said.

“Our birth was a mystery with the twins. We don't know why they came early, so I guess if we can do anything with the March of Dimes to help them solve these mysteries, that's what we want to do,” Erik Olson said.

The Olson twins are this year's ambassadors for the Piedmont Regional March of Dimes. They are an inspiration when you see how far they've come.

WSOC is sponsoring the March for Babies this year. It’s April 26th. The Olsons will have a team walking.

For more information: March for Babies

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