MARCH FOR BABIES - SUMTER
USC - Sumter
Sumter March for Babies is here!
Formerly known as WalkAmerica, March for Babies is the March of Dimes premier fundraising event that benefits all babies—those born healthy as well as those who need help to survive and thrive. Started in 1970, it’s the original walk fundraiser. In 2007, it raised $117 million nationwide for lifesaving research, community services, education and advocacy to help give every baby a healthy start.
For more information, please call Jamala Harrison at (803) 252-5200 or email JHarrison@marchofdimes.com . Everyone is encouraged to pre-register online at http://www.marchforbabies.com/.
Premature birth touches half a million babies and their families every year -- more than 8,700 in South Carolina each year. Babies born too soon are more likely to die or have disabilities. More than 120,000 babies are born with serious birth defects that can mean a lifetime of disability. Babies born healthy need champions, too, to be sure they have access to newborn screening and preventive health care. The March of Dimes is there for all babies.
Please mark your calendars now for the January Kickoff!
January 31, 2008 at Tuomey Hospital
12:00 noon- lunch will be provided
Our 2008 Ambassadors
Hazel-Grace and Kaleob’s Story
Sumter, South Carolina
When Karen and Larry Coker found out they were pregnant, they were overcome with joy. They were not having one baby, but two.
Karen took all the proper precautions and was looking forward to her due date of August 2006, but a routine ultrasound revealed blood flow was slow to one of the twins and Karen was immediately transferred to Charleston Medical University.
After Karen spent a month in the hospital, little Hazel-Grace and Kaleob arrived two months early on June 6 weighing in at 2lbs. 12 ozs. and 1lb. 1oz. respectively. Both infants were initially connected to respirators and spent considerable time under bilirubin lights. Hazel-Grace was the first to go home, but she still suffered from breathing problems and was attached to a heart monitor due to a small whole in her heart. Kaleob remained in the hospital longer due to problems with his intestines that eventually required two surgeries. Like his sister, he was born with a small hole in his heart that required him to wear a heart monitor.
Despite their initial health challenges, Hazel-Grace and Kaleob are now typical toddlers. Hazel-Grace, who now weighs 19 lbs., is walking and running around. Not far behind is Kaleob, who is now the larger of the two weighing 23 lbs.
The Cokers are very thankful for the March of Dimes and the life-saving research it funds. With March of Dimes successes such as NICU technology and Surfactant therapy, Hazel-Grace and Kaleob were given a chance to survive. What more could any parent ask for?
The money you raise at March for babies helps babies like Hazel-Grace and Kaleob!
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