(Indianapolis, IN, April 21, 2005) – Indiana residents will take to the streets this weekend to support the March of Dimes fight to save premature babies by raising money and participating in WalkAmerica in one of 12 communities in Indiana. 

By raising money and walking, they will help to fund lifesaving research and innovative programs that helps save babies in their communities, in Indiana and in communities across the nation.

WalkAmerica events taking place this weekend:
Saturday, April 23rd

• Crawfordsville WalkAmerica, Montgomery County Courthouse, 8:00am Check-in, 9:00am Start
• Lebanon WalkAmerica, Memorial Park, 8:00am Check-in, 9:00am Start
• Muncie WalkAmerica, YWCA, 9:00am Check-in, 10:00am Start
• Plymouth WalkAmerica, Centennial Park, 8:00am Check-in, 9:00am Start
• Richmond WalkAmerica, Glen Miller Park, 7:00am Check-in, 8:00am Start
• Seymour WalkAmerica, Seymour High School Stadium, 9:00am Check-in, 10:00am Start
• St. Joseph County WalkAmerica, Potawatomi Park, 8:00am Check-in, 9:00am Start

Sunday, April 24th

• Dekalb County WalkAmerica, Eckhart Park, Auburn, 12:00pm Check-in, 1:00pm Start
• Columbus WalkAmerica, IUPUC Campus, 12:00pm Check-in, 1:00pm Start
• Plainfield WalkAmerica, Hummel Park, 12:30pm Check-in, 1:30pm Start
• Vincennes WalkAmerica, Vincennes University Track and Field Stadium, 12:00pm Check-in, 1:00pm Start
• Kosciusko County WalkAmerica, Edgewood Middle School, Warsaw, 12:00pm Check-in, 1:00pm Start
  

The WalkAmerica routes vary in length but most are 6.2 miles or a 10 kilometer route. The routes wind through some of the most picturesque communities in Indiana and include food and water and entertainment stops along the way culminating in food and fun that is set up at the WalkAmerica finish line.

“It’s a great family day together and there is still time to sign up,” says Janie Sue Dubbs, State Director of Corporate Development and WalkAmerica for the March of Dimes.  “Many of our walkers have been walking for years and wouldn’t miss it. Some walk in memory or honor of a child they knew that was born too soon or too small who struggled against all odds to survive premature birth and many walk in memory of those babies who lost that fight."

WalkAmerica has raised funds over the last 35 years to fund the March of Dimes lifesaving research and innovative programs to find ways to prevent premature birth and other problems that jeopardize babies’ lives. To register for WalkAmerica in your community, call 1-800-BIG-WALK or visit www.walkamerica.org. 

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. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com/Indiana or its Spanish Web site at nacersano.org