From her iron lung in a Des Moines hospital, 11-year-old Darlene sends a plea to Los Angeles on March 9, 1949, for help to locate her missing father, Harry T. Belieu, 43, who is believed to be in this city. The girl was stricken with polio three months ago and her father doesn't know that she is critically ill. The March of Dimes is assisting in this effort. Here a nurse presents her with a birthday cake.
Belieu, Darlene Belieu, Harry T March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Hospitals--Iowa--Des Moines Children--Iowa--Des Moines Poliomyelitis Iron lung Missing persons Nurses--Iowa--Des Moines Birthdays Los Angeles Evening Herald and Express photographs Herald-Examiner Collection photographs
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