WalkAmerica 2007

Premature birth is the #1 cause of newborn death. It has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S., endangering the lives of more than half a million babies every year; and it's growing at an alarming rate. More than 120,000 babies are born with serious birth defects that can mean a lifetime of disability or even death.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. The March of Dimes was founded in 1938 and their original mission was to find a cure for Polio. In 1955, because of the March of Dimes funded research, the Salk Vaccine was proven "safe, effective and potent" in preventing polio. Since this great feat, the March of Dimes has shifted its focus to saving the lives of babies by working to make sure that every baby is born strong and healthy.

Every year, the March of Dimes holds an event called WalkAmerica. It is the oldest and one of the most popular walking events in the nation. The purpose of this event is to raise awareness and money to help support the March of Dimes. By taking part in WalkAmerica, you can help save babies and give hope to families.

It's a walk to save babies.

With your support, the March of Dimes can continue to: fund research into how to prevent premature birth, educate women about the signs of preterm labor and what to do if they have them, provide information and emotional support to the families of babies in intensive care, assist health care professionals to better detect women at risk for premature birth, and advocate for expanded access to health insurance for mothers and babies.

$100

could help 10 families with babies in NICU's learn how to care for their baby when he/she comes home.

$760

could provide prenatal care classes for 15 pregnant women.

$3,800

could fund a program to help 180 pregnant women quit smoking.

$150,000

could provide a research grant to study malfunctioning genes responsible for many birth defects.

$482,700

could provide a multi-year grant to study variations in genes of mothers and babies that might trigger premature birth.

You've been helped by the March of Dimes if: you received a polio vaccine; your baby or someone you know received a lung surfactant therapy to treat respiratory distress syndrome; you're aware that drinking, drugs, and tobacco use during pregnancy may cause serious birth defects; your baby or someone you know was cared for in a NICU; you're aware that folic acid, taken before and in early pregnancy, in a multivitamin, as part of a healthy diet, can prevent serious birth defects of the brain and spinal cord; or your baby or someone you know received a PKU test at birth. . .

Millions of compassionate people show they care about saving babies each year by raising money and participating in WalkAmerica. Teams that participate in WalkAmerica are made up of very special people. Some are formed by families and friends who've experienced premature birth, birth defects, or infant mortality. Others walk together to celebrate a healthy baby, or all babies. Many other teams are organized by companies and their employees who want to give back to their local community in a meaningful way.

Steve and I have started a team to walk in honor of Joseph during WalkAmerica this year. Joseph received some support this year from the March of Dimes, along with Project Linus, and we want to give back and hopefully help another family win their fight. We also want to celebrate Emily and help to make sure that there are more babies born like her, healthy and with all of the chances in the world. (The picture above, besides being one of my favorites, is a picture of Emily snuggling the blanket that was made for Joseph by participants in Project Linus, and given to him in his Christmas bag from the March of Dimes' Santa Claus that came around and visited all of the babies in the NICU on Christmas Day.)

Our team needs help reaching our goal to raise $500. Please click on the link to the right and it will bring you to our team page. Please find it in your heart to give a pledge to help save a baby, it can be as little as $5.00 if you want, just give something. We just want to do our best to try and save one family from the heartbreak that we have had to endure. Please help us with our quest.

Our walk is on April 29, 2007 at 9:00 am in Busse Woods, in Schaumburg, Illinois. We need to raise our goal amount, or MORE!! by then.