UAW Local 12 is making a big push this year to encourage members to enter teams in this year’s WalkAmerica, sponsored by the March of Dimes, which is scheduled on Sunday, April 29.
Brian Draper, Local 12 Recording Secretary, noted that the UAW has a long history of supporting this worthwhile organization in its fight against premature births and birth defects. “These are problems which can affect any family,” he told officers attending the February Local 12 Chairpersons’ meeting.
Marti Frisch, Chairperson at Toledo Technologies PCD Unit, told those attending that his twin children were born prematurely, at 28 weeks. The boy and girl weighed 2 lb. 5 oz. and 2 lb. 4 oz. “That was a very hard time in my life,” he said, noting that his children are perfectly normal now. He participated in his first WalkAmerica in 1987, and has joined several since then. “It is so important to make sure babies go to term. I want everyone here to get a team together for the march,” he said.
Susan Pratt, Chairperson of the St. Vincent Nurses Unit, discussed the hospital’s neonatal unit, which is now saving babies born at 23 to 24 weeks (weighing less than 2 pounds). The facilities at St. Vincent include the latest equipment and support for families with premature infants, and babies are there an average of 16 days, but can stay there for three to four months. “There are more than 350 admissions to the neonatal unit each year,” she said.
She also noted that her daughter was born prematurely. At the time, she said, “I shared a room with a woman who had a full term baby, and there were no support groups for us then.” Things have changed a lot in the last 2 years, she added, and said she is working to get a team together from St. Vincent for the WalkAmerica event.
Jody Heisler, Executive Director of the Northwest Ohio March of Dimes also has a personal interest in fighting premature births. She lost a son born prematurely five years ago, and her daughter, now healthy, was born at 24 weeks. She encouraged members who are interested to also participate in online fundraising for the event.
To join the Local 12 team, go to http://www.local12.org/ and click on the March of Dimes link or call Brian Draper at 419-241-9126 Ext. 25
Draper added, “Once you’re registered, you will have your own web page and be able to send pledge requests to everyone in your email address book. It works best if you cut and paste the message and your web page address into Outlook Express and send it from there. Otherwise you have to type them in individually.
“I didn’t think I would like it, but I’ve already raised $70 within an hour. If you need any help, let me know.” He also noted that he will be going out to Local 12 Units to set up teams for the event.
He added that the International UAW is participating in WalkAmerica on the national level; the Toledo Area UAW-CAP Council is providing a checkpoint for walkers at the Lucas County event this year, and local unions like Local 14 UAW are participating as well.
The event takes place Sunday, April 29, with start and finish at the Lucas county Recreation Center. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the walk starts promptly at 9 a.m. It includes 6 mile and 3 mile routes, and 2,000 walkers are expected to participate. Each walker has been challenged to raise $200 in pledges.
Draper said that donations are spent on programs that help save babies’ lives. In Ohio, the March of Dimes is currently funding $200,000 in community grants aimed at educating women about how to have a healthy baby, and other programs that support the organization’s mission. March of Dimes is also funding over $2 million in multi-year research grants in Ohio, and it conducts seminars and distributes educational materials to health care providers.
Half a million babies are born prematurely each year, and 120,000 are born with disabling or life-threatening birth defects each year.
Interested members can sign up at the above web site or call 1 800 525 WALK. Draper said that members should be aware that family members can sign up to be part of their teams. “This isn’t limited to members only,” he said. “Anyone can join in.”
Team captains will receive a variety of materials to help raise awareness among co-workers and customers about the fight against premature birth. Also, car ribbon magnets and Awareness wristbands are available.
