Hundreds to Walk for Stronger, Healthier Babies in Middletown

On Saturday, May 3 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. 

In addition to the walk, participants will enjoy kid friendly activities including a bounce house, face painting, and more. Food will also be available for purchase with proceeds to benefit the March of Dimes.

Leading the festivities will be the event’s Ambassadors, Marvin and Emily Williams of Middletown, along with their two-year old son Deven (born prematurely) and his big sister, Amaya. They will share Deven’s prematurity journey, and thank walkers for their commitment to the March of Dimes mission to give all babies a healthy start.  Deven was born eight weeks too soon and weighed just 4 lbs. 5 oz.  He spent 37 days in two neonatal intensive care units before coming home. 

“This will be our third year participating in March for Babies, and it has been an amazing experience.  It has helped our family heal, celebrate, and share our passion for healthy babies.  It has been our family’s way of giving back and we hope that everyone can have a positive experience like we did," said Emily.

Union Park is located at 14 Old Church Street in Middletown. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the event at 10 a.m.  To register visit marchforbabies.org/event/middlesexcounty. Participants can also register on-site on May 3.  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.   

Middlesex County March for Babies is sponsored by Middlesex Hospital, Statewide Insurance, Shapiro Law Offices, 102.9 DRC-FM and statewide sponsors NBC Connecticut and Comcast.  March for Babies is sponsored nationally by the March of Dimes number one corporate supporter Kmart, Macy’s, Famous Footwear, Cigna, Sanofi Pasteur, Mission Pharmacal, and United Airlines.

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 raise funds to prevent premature birth and birth defects by walking in March for Babies at marchforbabies.org. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.  Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.