Chicago –Energized by their common mission to save babies, 500 walkers made their way to Highland Park's Sunset Woods early Sunday morning, April 24th for the 35th annual March of Dimes WalkAmerica. Thousands of others also laced up their walking shoes this weekend at WalkAmerica locations in Chicago, Naperville, St. Charles, Schaumburg, and Tinley Park.
At the Lake County walk site, enthusiastic participants raised $111,000, contributing to the $2 million raised throughout the Chicagoland area. All money raised supports the March of Dimes campaign to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. This national event is the March of Dimes leading source of revenue. WalkAmerica has raised more than $1 billion for healthy babies since it began in 1970. This year's WalkAmerica will help support research and education for the National Prematurity Campaign. Each year more than 480,000 babies are born premature and prematurity is the leading cause of death in the first month of life. Ninety-two cents of every dollar raised in Illinois goes into research as well as education, advocacy and community service programs to help all babies have a healthy start in life.
The Joseph Family, of Evanston, proudly led the way, acting as this year's Lake County Ambassador Family. The Josephs support the March of Dimes' mission, especially since their son Luca was born after only 24 weeks gestation. Luca weighed 1 lb. 8 oz. at birth. While entertained by WIIL Rock, the walkers enjoyed the day devoted to saving babies.
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 of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth.
WalkAmerica is sponsored nationally by CIGNA, Kmart, Discovery Health Channel, FedEx, Prevention Magazine, Farmers Insurance, Mead Johnson, and Famous Footwear. Chicago division sponsors include Absopure, Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, Careerbuilder.com, Citibank, LaSalle Bank Corporation, Marsh/Mercer, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, TCF Bank, and NBC5. Lake County sponsors include Mustela, Glenview State Bank, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare, Harris Bank, Highland Park Bank and Trust, and Montessori Connection.
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