BIKERS SET PARTY, RIDE TO HELP BABIES

The March of Dimes and the Bikers for Babies are about helping babies to survive who've been born prematurely and by supporting lifesaving research and innovative programs to find ways to prevent being born prematurely.

The pre-registration party for Bikers for Babies takes place at the Drury Lodge in Cape Girardeau at 5 p.m. Saturday. There will be a party with raffles, door prizes, snacks and entertainment.

The Bikers for Babies ride takes place Aug. 18 at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau, with registration starting at 9:30 a.m. The ride begins at 11 a.m. and is about 70 miles long, with riders making the safe and visible journey on Interstate 55 north to Perryville and then back to Arena Park.

People can help "miracle babies" like Abbie and Corrie, whose mother developed toxemia, seven months into her pregnancy. The medical solution was to deliver the babies prematurely.

Abbie developed trouble breathing on her own and received a dose of Surfactant. This drug, whose research was funded by March of Dimes, enabled her to be taken off her respirator after only one day. After five weeks of neonatal intensive care, feeding tubes, etc., Abbie and Corrie could go home. Today they are happy and healthy 1-year-olds, thanks to Bikers for Babies.