| Tacoma, Washington - Dozens of volunteers joined the March of Dimes at noon on Wednesday, February 18 at the Tacoma Yacht Club to celebrate the organization’s recent fundraising successes and kick off WalkAmerica 2004, the organization’s largest fundraising event in Pierce County.
“Last year the Pierce County WalkAmerica raised more than $270,000 for the March of Dimes and its five-year Prematurity Campaign,” explained Susan McAbee, Community Director for March of Dimes, South Sound Division. “While we’re pleased with that result, we still have much more work to find out why 1 in 8 babies is born too soon.”
The kick off, aimed at team captains, top walkers, committee members and sponsors, was an opportunity for groups small and large to learn more about the March of Dimes’ mission, pick up WalkAmerica materials, and share ideas with other team captains and organizers.
March of Dimes WalkAmerica 2004 has already garnered the support of more than a dozen local companies, including Bank of America, Regence, Key Bank (Statewide Presenting Sponsor), The News Tribune, KIRO 7, KMPS, KISS 106.1, 96.5 KROCK, and Franciscan Health System, site sponsor for Pierce County.
“March of Dimes is determined to stem the tide of premature deliveries with education and research. Franciscan Health System is committed to helping March of Dimes achieve this goal, locally and nationally,” says Brooks Sutton, Chief Operating Officer for Franciscan’s St. Clare Hospital in Lakewood and chair of Pierce County WalkAmerica.
WalkAmerica 2004 is set for Saturday, April 24 at Point Defiance Park. It features a new, 6-mile walk route that begins and ends at Owen Beach and winds through the scenic vistas of the park and the Tacoma waterfront. The fundraising goal for the 2004 event is $305,000.
Funds from WalkAmerica will help support the March of Dimes ambitious effort launched last year. Its $75 million Prematurity Campaign aims to fund research efforts and discover what causes prematurity and why it is on the rise in America.
In addition to local corporate involvement, WalkAmerica is supported nationally by CIGNA, K Mart, Famous Footwear, and Discovery Health Channel.
Registration forms for WalkAmerica are available at all KeyBank locations, and all Franciscan Health System clinics and hospitals. Beginning in mid-March, registration forms will also be available at Sleep Country USA and Bartell Drugs.
For more information about the local WalkAmerica or last week’s kickoff, contact the March of Dimes at 253-752-9255.
The March of Dimes is the voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies. |
