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March of Dimes to Honor Kim Farrar at St. Louis March for Babies
17-Apr-09
(ST. LOUIS, April 17, 2009)  Family and friends of the late Kim Farrar will be recognized before the April 25 March for Babies in Forest Park. 
 Kim Farrar, 24, of Cedar Hill and her unborn twin daughters were killed when their car was struck on Route W in House Springs on Christmas Eve.  Her husband, James, was injured and is recovering.
 James Farrar noted that Kim’s pregnancy was nearing full term when she was killed.  She had been receiving treatment to stave off premature delivery.  March of Dimes is committed to helping women have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies.
 James and other family members will release 11 butterflies before March for Babies, to symbolize the 11 babies who die each week in Missouri before their first birthday.
 Following Kim’s death family members and friends decided to get involved in March for Babies.  They have formed “Team Kimmy,” which currently boasts more than 300 members who have signed up online.  As of April 17, they had raised more than $12,000.
 “Kim’s friends and family are champions for babies,” Deborah Kersting, executive director of the Greater Missouri March of Dimes, said.  “She was so devoted to becoming a mother.”
 The St. Louis event in Forest Park is the 13th largest March for Babies in the United States.  More than 8,000 people participate annually.  They raise more than $1 million to give all babies a healthy start.  March for Babies includes a 5K run through Forest Park.  That begins at 8 a.m.  The walk begins an hour later over the same course. 
 Kersting noted that while moms and babies of Missouri and Metro East still need March of Dimes help, projected revenue for March for Babies is down slightly from last year.  She encouraged all supporters of babies to make a late push and come out for the event.
 St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley serves as the starter.  Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder also will attend.  The chair of March of Babies is Ron Kruszewski, CEO of Stifel Nicolaus.
 More information is available at www.marchofdimes.com/missouri.  To access Team Kimmy’s page, go to www.marchforbabies.org/teams/621061.
  The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health.  With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.  For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.  For Missouri news, visit marchofdimes.com/missouri.