March of Dimes holds kickoff meeting for fund-raising ideas

The March of Dimes kickoff was recently held at Outback Steakhouse. About 30 team members and captains gathered to get new fund-raising ideas and inspiration to recruit supporters. The March of Dimes is sponsoring WalkAmerica for the fourth consecutive year.

At the kickoff, Laura Adams of Cape Girardeau began her presentation to the group by saying, "Most stories about premature babies begin like mine. Something went wrong in the pregnancy and the baby was born 10 weeks early." Adams had one baby delivered at term and two premature babies born 10 weeks early: Jonah, now 4, and Noah, now 6.

A photo of Jonah was passed around. He was less than a foot long.

Adams said if it weren't for medical research she didn't think her two premature babies would be here. "I did everything I was supposed to, from prenatal visits to taking prenatal vitamins that made me sick -- and of course I didn't smoke or drink during the pregnancies," she said.

The fact is, premature birth doesn't discriminate. It can strike any woman even if she has done everything right before and during pregnancy.

March of Dimes board member Linda Keena attended the kickoff with her son, Michael Ferrell, a Jackson Middle School student. It is the third year he has volunteered to help prepare for the walk scheduled May 3 at Kiwanis Park. Registration begins at 5 p.m.

Keena, who is an assistant professor of criminal justice at Southeast Missouri State University, is committed to the charity because she feels it's heart-wrenching to see premature babies born so small, some with a lifetime of disabilities to face.

"I like to involve my students because we know that 50 percent of those babies that have difficulties are the result of alcohol or drug use. Maybe we can cut that down by educating the public. It gives me hope that with everyone working together we can curb the numbers."

The money raised by WalkAmerica, March of Dimes' biggest fund-raiser, is used for research to find ways to prevent premature birth and birth defects, and to provide women with the latest information about pregnancy and premature birth.

The need for the March of Dimes is evident in statistics. Anually, more than 460,000 babies -- 1 in 8 -- are born too soon, some so small they can fit in the palm of a hand. Many must fight just to survive; others struggle with lifelong health problems. No one knows the causes of nearly half of all premature births.

The March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign goal is to reduce the rate of prematurity from 12.3 percent in 2003 to 7.6 percent in 2010.

Debbie Atchison, March of Dimes southeast division director, said about $20,000 was raised at last year's walk. This year's goal is $30,000.

Members of the community can help support team members by supporting these upcoming fund-raisers:

• "Ladies Extravaganza, " a two-day bazaar for home businesses from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 1131 N. Kingshighway, Suite G, Cape Girardeau.
• A "Meals in Thyme" event at 9 a.m. March 27 and at 5:30 p.m. March 28 at Meals in Thyme, 1131 Kingshighway, Suite K, Cape Girardeau. A portion of each session's profits will go to the March of Dimes

More information is available by calling Atchison at 651-6033 or visiting www.marchofdimes.com.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133