Megan East, of Lancaster, had been secretly trying to save up enough money to surprise her fiancé, Eser, with airfare tickets to San Diego when she received a call from the Pennsylvania Chapter of the March of Dimes.  She wasn’t even aware of the state's online fundraising challenge, which automatically entered any March for Babies registered participant who raised at least $50 online between March 13 and March 27 into a drawing for two airline tickets from Continental Airlines.  Yet, she became the lucky winner of the challenge and was able to share the good news with her fiancé: they’ll be flying to San Diego soon!

“I am participating in March for Babies, because I believe in the March of Dimes mission to save babies,” says East.  “In 2007, my life was touched by an amazing experience: the birth of my son, Gabriel.  I never knew that it was possible to love so much.  I absolutely can’t imagine my life without him.  There are so many out there who don’t get a chance to experience what I experience every day, or who aren’t fortunate enough to have had the complication-free pregnancy and delivery that I had.”

While East was expecting, so were four other women, who are now walking with her at March for Babies.  All five women went through pregnancy together and delivered their babies within a three-week span.  Some had been lifelong friends, while others bonded as friends during that special time.  

Two of the babies were delivered early; one spent time in a neonatal intensive care unit.  Today, all five children are doing well.  At a get-together, the moms snapped a photo of the children laying in circle, which they titled, “Circle-of-Friends.”  This soon became their March for Babies team name, too.  Joining the moms in March for Babies are of course the dads, who are just as happy to be included in the circle. 

To donate to East’s fundraising efforts, please visit her personal fundraising Web page at www.marchforbabies.org/meganeast.  The March of Dimes wishes East best of luck during March for Babies season, a safe trip to San Diego, and best wishes for her upcoming nuptials. 

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.