Families turn out to march for babies

Holding a newborn baby for the first time is a special feeling known by many moms…but not all.
For mothers of premature babies it may be days, if not months, before they can cuddle their child. More than half a million babies are born premature each year, with families who yearn to reach out and touch them.
The Sittineri family of Belleplain knows this struggle all too well. Their daughter Emily Rose, was born in August 2004 at just 25 weeks. After a two-month battle, Emily Rose passed away.
Heartbroken, the Sittineris became familiar with the research and services provided by the March of Dimes. The family now gives back by participating in the March for Babies and walking with them this year will be the latest addition to their family — three-year-old daughter Allison Rose.
Each year, thousands of these families come together to fight premature birth through the March of Dimes. They form family teams to walk in March for Babies in honor of their own child and to help other families avoid the trauma they went through.
March for Babies is the March of Dimes premier fundraising event that benefits all babies. Started in 1970, it’s the original walking event, raising money to fund important research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and give hope to the families of babies born too soon or sick.
This year’s march is April 26, at the Ocean City Music Pier, 8th Street and the Boardwalk, with registration at 8 a.m. and the walk at 9 a.m.
Premature birth is the most urgent infant health problem in the U.S. today, affecting more than half a million babies each year, with the number growing every day. Babies born healthy need champions, too, to ensure they have access to newborn screening and preventive health care. The March of Dimes is there for all babies.
To join in, visit marchforbabies.org, or call toll-free 800-525-9255 to sign up as an individual, to start a corporate, family or friends team, or donate to help babies be born healthy. Participants can also pick up sponsor forms at Kmart.
In 2009, National March for Babies sponsors are Kmart, the March of Dimes number one corporate supporter, CIGNA, Continental Airlines, Famous Footwear, Farmers Insurance Group of Companies, FedEx, First Response, Liberty Tax Services, Mead Johnson Nutrition and Ther-Rx.
In South Jersey, March for Babies is sponsored by; The Wachovia Foundation, Sovereign Bank, Six Flags, WMGM TV-40, New Jersey 101.5, Comcast, SoJo 104.9, Rowan Radio 89.7 and Univision 65.