Ambler Campus, Temple University

Premature birth is now the number one obstetric problem in the United States. It is very likely that you know someone — perhaps someone in your family — that has struggled through the heartache of worry that prematurity can bring.

To help reduce the staggering number of premature births, hundreds of heroes will be lacing up their walking shoes for March for Babies 2009, which will be held at Temple University Ambler on Sunday, April 26 — registration begins at 9 a.m. in Bright Hall Circle.

The walk will highlight the March of Dimes’ ongoing campaign to raise public awareness, reduce the rates of pre-term birth, and increase research to find the cause of prematurity. This will be the 11th consecutive year Temple University Ambler has served as a March of Dimes March for Babies (formerly known as WalkAmerica) host.

“In 2008, the March of Dimes decided to rename its premier fundraising event from WalkAmerica to March for Babies. The name change leaves no question about why people are participating in the event — for the health of all babies,” said March of Dimes March for Babies site coordinator Traci Bruno. “The new name for March for Babies is part of a larger March of Dimes initiative focused on helping the public recognize that we help all babies — those born healthy and those who need help to survive and thrive. Although the name has changed, our mission is not. We are more committed than ever to improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.”

2008 proved to be one of the most successful years to date for March for Babies at the Ambler Campus, according to Bruno.

“In 2008, we had approximately 700 walkers raise $210,000! We are hoping to have 800 walkers raise $223,000 in 2009. Our walkers come from more than 80 companies, organizations, schools, and families in the Ambler area,” she said. “Support has been going strong this year. We continue to have wonderful support from companies such as McNeil and Motorola, which, beyond the day’s mission, gives Ambler students a great opportunity to network while supporting this important cause.”

The Temple University Ambler Student Government Association, with support from several campus student organizations, such as Program Board, the Criminal Justice Society, Residence Hall Senate, and others, has spent weeks raising funds for the event through pretzel sales and other activities. Staff and faculty are also doing their part to ensure that the Ambler Campus team is well represented in 2009!

Bruno said the March of Dimes is “extremely fortunate” to have so many Temple students, faculty, and staff willing to volunteer their time and effort to making each year’s walk a success.

“There is so much enthusiasm for the event and so many Temple people help out prior to and on the day of the walk. The student volunteers that help with set up and cleanup are invaluable,” she said. “Without Temple, this event wouldn’t be what it is.”

Money raised during the walk, Bruno said, often stays right in this area.

“With so many teaching hospitals in the region, such as Abington and Thomas Jefferson, March of Dimes is able to help communities come together for our mission,” she said.

For the past four years, “Mission Families,” have been an extremely important part of the March for Babies event. Mission families have been directly impacted by the hardship, tragedy, and triumph that can often come from prematurity.

“Mission families provide walkers the opportunity to interact with the people they are walking for, to see what our mission is all about,” Bruno said. “We had never really approached families who had struggled with prematurity to come out and walk — they had been through so much — but families who had a child or grandchild born premature were contacting us asking how they could get involved. We have been positively stunned and heartened by their resilience — it’s very empowering.”

Patty Poach of North Wales said she and her family became a Family Team because of the importance of the research that the March of Dimes helps to fund, “which is helping more mothers have healthy babies.”

“I know that when my friend delivered premature just days before I did I didn’t know how common premature birth was. It can happen to anyone — you can have the best care possible and still have a premature baby,” she said. “Our goal is to get more people to support the cause. We need to continue research and determine the cause so that, simply, children can have an easier time growing up.”

It is not too late to start a team or support a March for Babies team at Ambler! For more, contact Michelle Morales-Whiting at 267-468-8080 or michelle.whiting@temple.edu or Sarada Jailal at 267-468-8011 or sarada.jailal@temple.edu.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs for research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies. For more information on the March of Dimes, visit the organization’s website at www.modimes.org.