Hundreds Will March for Stronger, Healthier Babies in Middletown

On Saturday, April 27 at Union Park in Middletown, hundreds of families and business leaders will join together to March for Babies—the March of Dimes walk honoring babies born healthy and those who need help to survive and thrive. Funds raised help support prenatal wellness programs, research grants, neonatal intensive care unit family support programs and advocacy efforts for stronger, healthier babies. 

Helping to lead the festivities will be the 2013 Ambassadors, the Poole family of Middletown.  Four year-old Edward was born nearly 17 weeks too soon and weighed just 1 lb. 6 oz.  He spent 5 ½ months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at UConn Health Center receiving specialized care for premature newborns.  He had gastrointestinal, breathing and blood pressure issues.  He had also endured heart and hernia surgeries.  He received surfactant, a therapy funded in part through the March of Dimes, to help mature his tiny lungs.

“We never even thought about the possibility of our child being born premature.  It was truly a miracle that Ed survived and not only that but he thrives.  That would not be possible without the research that the March of Dimes supports.  They mean a lot to us because Ed means a lot to us,” said Arlene Poole.  “For each life that is saved by the research supported by the March of Dimes we have future fathers, mothers, and leaders.”

Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the event at 10 a.m.  Participants will enjoy refreshments and kid friendly activities including crafts, a bounce house, face painting, and more.   To register visit marchforbabies.org or marchofdimes.com/ct.  All walkers who raise $200 or more will receive an event t-shirt and those raising $350 or more will have the choice of a Macy’s or Kmart gift card.   

The March of Dimes celebrates its 75th anniversary this year and its ongoing work to help all babies get a healthy start in life.  More than 4 million babies were born in the United States last year, and the March of Dimes has helped each and every one through research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs. 

Middlesex County March for Babies is sponsored by Middlesex Hospital, Northstar Wealth Partners, 102.9 DRC-FM, and supported by statewide sponsors, NBC Connecticut and Comcast.  March for Babies is sponsored nationally by the March of Dimes number one corporate supporter Kmart, Farmers Insurance Group, Macy’s, Cigna, Sanofi Pasteur, Famous Footwear, Actavis, Mission Pharmacal, and United Airlines.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.  Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.