(Indianapolis, IN, April 28, 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 24 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 30th: 

• Anderson WalkAmerica, Anderson University Decker Hall, 9am check-in, 10am start
• Connersville WalkAmerica, Roberts Park, 8am check-in, 9am start
• Greenwood WalkAmerica, Craig Park, 8am check-in, 9am start
• Elkhart County WalkAmerica, Island Park, Elkhart, IN, 8am check-in, 9am start
• Evansville WalkAmerica, Sunrise Park, 9am check-in, 10am start
• Fort Wayne WalkAmerica, Headwaters Park, 8am check-in, 9am start
• Huntington WalkAmerica, Heirs Park Family Living Center, 9am check-in, 10am start
• Kokomo WalkAmerica, Highland Park, 8am check-in, 9am start
• LaPorte WalkAmerica, Soldiers Memorial Park Cummings Lodge, 8am check-in, 9am start
• Lafayette WalkAmerica, Tippecanoe County Park
• Terre Haute WalkAmerica, ISU Memorial Stadium, 7:30am check-in, 8:30am start
• Washington WalkAmerica, Eastside Park, 1pm check-in, 2pm start

Sunday, May 1st: 

• Angola WalkAmerica, Angola High School, 12pm check-in, 1pm start
• Adams County WalkAmerica, South Adams Senior Center, Berne, 1pm check-in, 2pm start
• Batesville/Greensburg WalkAmerica, Liberty Park, Batesville, 12pm check-in, 1pm start
• Bloomington WalkAmerica, Bloomington South High School, 12pm check-in, 1pm start
• Indianapolis WalkAmerica, IUPUI Track and Soccer Stadium, 9am check-in, 10am start
• Lake County WalkAmerica, Highland High School, 9am check-in, 10am start
• Michigan City WalkAmerica, Washington Park, 12pm check-in, 1pm start
• New Castle WalkAmerica, New Castle Chrysler High School, 1pm check-in, 2pm start
• Noblesville WalkAmerica, Forest Park, 12:30pm check-in, 1:30pm start
• Porter County WalkAmerica, David A. Butterfield Pavilion, Valparaiso, 9am check-in, 10am start
• Princeton WalkAmerica, Princeton Courthouse, 1pm check-in, 2pm start
• Shelbyville WalkAmerica, Shelbyville Middle School, 1pm check-in, 2pm start.

“There is still time to register as an individual walker or as a team, “ said Tim Arndt, Sr. State Director of Communications and Marketing.  “Call 1-800-BIG-WALK to register or visit http://www.walkamerica.org/ and register online.  People can also register on WalkAmerica day as well.  They should just come to the location and turn in the donations they've collected at Check-in. We hope everyone will raise money and take part in WalkAmerica and let themselves in on one of the finest feelings that there is—the feeling that you’re helping a tiny, defenseless baby win the struggle to survive. ”

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,” 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 http://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