WALDORF, MD — More than 800 people are expected at March for Babies in Southern Maryland. Families will be joined by business leaders at the annual March of Dimes fundraiser, which is the nation’s oldest fundraising walk. The event honors babies born healthy and those who need help to survive and thrive.
This year’s Suburban Maryland Ambassador Family is the Grimes family. The Grimes family know firsthand what it can mean if a baby is born too soon. Shauna and Mike were excited to become parents again, but 10 weeks early, Shauna went into premature labor. She delivered Kami at 30 weeks, and Kami spent two months in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) before going home. She was later diagnosed with a barrage of medical ailments including periventricular leukomalacia, a brain injury found in infants particularly premature infants, epilepsy, and cerebral palsy. Today, Kami is a vibrant four-year-old with an infectious smile. The family is dedicated to making sure other parents don’t experience the same trauma and have healthy, full-term pregnancies.
The Grimes family will speak at the opening ceremonies along with 2016 March for Babies Co-Chair Craig Renner, The St. Charles Companies. Renner knows firsthand the importance of the March of Dimes mission. As a father, he is dedicated to raising awareness and the important funding to prevent premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality.
Held rain or shine, March for Babies will provide a memorable and rewarding day for the whole family. Participants will enjoy a stroller-friendly walk, lunch, music and children’s activities including face painting and games. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. for the 3 and 5 mile walks.
March for Babies Southern Maryland
Sunday, May 1 at 9:00 a.m.
Regency Furniture Stadium
11765 St. Linus Drive
Waldorf, MD 20602
Funds raised will support lifesaving research, education and advocacy to help women have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies. Donations also fund programs such as the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) family support program. In 2015, the March for Babies in Southern Maryland raised $160,000 and had 1,000 walkers. For more information about March for Babies and to register and donate, visit marchforbabies.org or call 1-800-525-9255.
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March for Babies 2016 – Page 2
“In an average week in Maryland, 164 babies will be born prematurely and nine won’t reach their first birthday due to complications from their early birth,” said Jennifer Abell, the March of Dimes Suburban Maryland division director. “We are encouraged to see so many people supporting the March of Dimes effort to win the fight against premature birth.”
Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death in the United States. It affects about 380,000 babies – that’s 1 in 10 babies – born each year. The March of Dimes is committed to funding research to find the answers to problems that continue to threaten the lives and the health of babies.
Local March for Babies sponsors include: Carefirst, Safeway, Subway, Greater Waldorf Jaycees, University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center, Walton, MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital, MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital, SMECO, The St. Charles Companies, Outdoor Creations Landscape Services, Inc., Calvert Memorial Hospital, St. Charles Apartments, Dominion Power, Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, the Washington Informer, and Southern Maryland Woman Magazine.
About The March of Dimes
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs. Find out how you can help prevent premature birth and birth defects by joining March for Babies at marchforbabies.org. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. The 2016 March for Babies is sponsored nationally by the March of Dimes number one corporate supporter Kmart, Famous Footwear, Macy’s, Cigna, United Airlines and Mission Pharmacal.