Danielle Prenevost, , (612) 326-9444, dprenevost@marchofdimes.com.

America's Favorite Walking Event in 18 Minnesota Communities

Matt and Kate Siverson of Maple Grove walk in the Minneapolis March for Babies in honor of their daughter Chloe, born too soon and too small. They are serving as the Ambassador Family for the Minneapolis March for Babies on April 29 to raise awareness of the problem of premature birth and to raise funds for the March of Dimes improve the health of babies.

Complications during pregnancy forced Chloe’s birth at 27 weeks. She weighed one pound, 12 ounces. Chloe had a heart murmur and blood clot on her brain. “She was the tiniest baby I’d ever seen,” shared Kate. “She seemed so fragile with the lights shining down on her, the tubes and the IVs.”

It was one week before Katie could hold her baby. Chloe stayed in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) for the next three months.

The Siverson’s turned to the March of Dimes for comfort and information. They learned about the risks premature babies face and connected with other families going through a similar experience.

March for Babies is Sunday, April 29 in both Minneapolis and St. Paul.  There are 16 other locations across Minnesota.  People can sign up today at www.marchforbabies.org and start a team with co-workers, family or friends.

March of Dimes is researching the causes of problems that threaten babies. March of Dimes led the drive to put newborn intensive care units within reach of every baby. Our Nobel Prize-winning research offers hope of treatments and preventions for serious health problems, like premature birth and birth defects.

Today, Chloe is a bright, charming two-year-old darling. She will be a big sister at the end of March.

“We share our story to encourage others to join the March for Babies,” encourages Kate. “Supporting the March of Dimes is so dear to our hearts.”

Leading the charge to raise $2 million for March for Babies in Minnesota is Dawn Owens, CEO of OptumHealth. She has taken on the role of March for Babies Chair for a second year in a row to raise awareness and important funding to provide for babies born premature or with birth defects.

“At Optum, we provide the tools and solutions for people to live the healthiest lives possible—and that starts at birth. We’re excited about this year’s March for Babies,” said Owens. “This is a cause the whole community can get behind.”

About the March of Dimes

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. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

The March for Babies is sponsored nationally by the March of Dimes number one corporate supporter Kmart, Farmers Insurance Group, Cigna, Famous Footwear, Sanofi Pasteur, FedEx, Mission Pharmacal, Watson Pharmaceuticals, First Response, and United Airlines. State sponsors are Medica and Optum. Local sponsors include 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, Minnesota Monthly, LOVE 105 and Xfinity.

# # # #