Annual March For Babies Campaign Fights Premature Births

Sign up for the Cartersville Patch newsletter!

---

Cartersville, GA -- Next week, the Rollins Child Development Center will host the 2016 Bartow County March of Dimes March for Babies campaign kickoff.

The kickoff, scheduled for 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, is a casual, informative, drop-in event open to anyone in the community who would like to support March of Dimes by recruiting a team and serving as that team’s captain.

Premature birth is the leading cause of death during the first month of life. Funds raised from the 2016 campaign will help improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

Though commonly associated with babies who are born prematurely, March of Dimes actually impacts the health of every baby born in the United States, through discovery of the benefits of taking folic acid during pregnancy, educating pregnant women about the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy and through development of the PKU (heel prick) test for all newborns, which screens for up to 32 different metabolic diseases.

According to March of Dimes, a baby born even a week or two early can have serious long term health problems.

Cartersville Medical Center supports the March of Dimes 39+ Weeks Campaign and was recognized last year for its efforts by the Georgia Department of Public Health in partnership with the March of Dimes Georgia Chapter and Georgia Hospital Association.

“We’re proud to support an organization whose mission is for every baby to have a healthy start,” said Kelly Costner, RN, director of perinatal services at Cartersville Medical Center. “We hope area businesses and individuals will form teams and join us at the 2016 March for Babies in May.”

Featured at this year’s kickoff will be the 2016 Bartow County March of Dimes Ambassador, Kaiya Chastain.

The daughter of Ryan and Carrie Chastain, Kaiya --now 3 years old -- experienced life threatening seizures as an infant and benefited from resources made possible by the March of Dimes.

The kickoff will also include information, assistance with team captain registration, door prizes and light refreshments.

An awards ceremony is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will include recognition of 2015 top teams and sponsors.In addition to the need for teams, area businesses are encouraged to consider corporate sponsorship of the 2016 March for Babies.

For more information about the kickoff, team registration or corporate sponsorship, contact 2016 chair Ginger Tyra at 770-607-1017 or ginger.tyra@hcahealthcare.com or March of Dimes Community Director Debbie Childress, March of Dimes Community Director at 914-536-6728 or dchildress@marchofdimes.org.

You can also visit the event’s website.

---

Photo: Kaiya Chastain, the 2016 Bartow County March of Dimes Ambassador.