March of Dimes Walkathon Attracts 200, Raises $40K

Two hundred walkers from all over Central Connecticut turned out Sunday for the 3.5-mile March of Dimes Walkathon at Vinal Techical School in Middletown.

The event raised $40,000 for — and awareness of — premature births, which affect half-a-million American newborns annually.

As teams stepped along the route, which wound along the sunny residential streets near Middlefield, a disc jockey played danceable music, volunteers set up booths outside and sandwiches, chips and drinks inside.

Local March of Dimes Ambassadors, the Perry family of Middletown, told those gathered about their triplets, now 8 years old, who were born 10 weeks early. Two weighed 2.5 pounds and one, 1 lb 10 oz. The babies stayed in the neonatal intensive care unit at UConn Health Center for months, receiving lifesaving treatment.

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