Ready. Set. March for Babies!

On Sunday, April 26, 2015 hundreds of families and business leaders across the tri-county area will join together in the March of Dimes annual March for Babies—the nation’s oldest walk fundraiser honoring babies born healthy and those who need help to survive and thrive.

Locally, the March for Babies takes place in three locations in the tri-county area – one in each Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Local presenting sponsors include Flagstar Bank, UAW Ford, GM, and Fiat Chrysler.

Wayne County

Where: Wayne State University campus, Midtown/Detroit; 3-mile walk

When: Sunday, April 26; registration begins at 8:00 a.m. and walk kicks off at 9:00 a.m.

Executive Chairs: Scott Sandefur, General Director, Labor Relations Corporate Labor Relations and Kris Owen, UAW Executive Co Director UAW GM Center For Human Resources

Ambassador Family: The Korsak Family, Livonia

Victoria and Joe were looking forward to starting their family with their new baby girl. At 27 weeks pregnant, 12 weeks early, Victoria delivered daughter Gia, weighing just under 2 pounds. Speaking of her family’s experience, Victoria stated, “for 58 long days, Gia scared us to death–and she taught us about faith, love and resilience. Almost three years later, our family also knows that prematurity is the very meaning of the adage that it takes a village. A village of faith and of love… and the foundation of the tireless support from the March of Dimes.” Victoria and Joe are dedicated to sharing their story and to raising funds so that more is learned about the causes and impacts of premature birth.

Many families across metro Detroit have experienced the impact of premature birth, birth defects and infant loss. These families join the Korsak, Compton and Lambert families along with countless other supporters, to march for stronger, healthier babies. They walk to remember the angels they’ve lost and to celebrate their children who are alive today because of lifesaving research funded by the March of Dimes. And they walk to help the March of Dimes fund more critical research, education, and programs.

Participation in March for Babies will provide a memorable and rewarding day for the whole family. Funds raised by March for Babies in Michigan help support prenatal wellness programs, research grants, newborn intensive care unit (NICU) family support programs and advocacy efforts for stronger, healthier babies. To register for an event in your community, visit www.marchforbabies.org.

The March of Dimes, the leading nonprofit organization for maternal and infant health, has worked for more than 75 years to help babies get a healthy start in life. About 4 million babies were born in the United States last year, and the March of Dimes helped each and every one through research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs. On an average week in Michigan, 311 infants are born premature and 17 infants die before their 1st birthday.