March for Babies set for Apr. 24

By SHAWNNA ROBINSON
Farmington Press

Austin Lee loves to perform Johnny Cash songs and recite his ABC’s. This fair-haired little boy has come a long way since his birth three years ago this March.

Austin was born at just 28 weeks gestation and weighed just one pound, 14 ounces. He spent 139 days in the Neonatal ICU, or NICU, at St. Louis Children’s Hospital before coming home with mom and dad, Tony and Angela.

He is serving as the Ambassador Child for this year’s March of Dimes March for Babies. The event — previously known as WalkAmerica — raises money for life saving research to prevent premature births like Austin and to assist families who do go through such a trial.

Austin’s mother developed pre-eclampsia during her pregnancy. Austin was delivered by emergency c-section at Barnes Hospital 12 weeks before his due date of birth.

“I had heard about the March of Dimes but didn’t really know that much about what they did,” she said.

After Austin arrived back home, he was on oxygen for about one month. Today, he has been discharged by the doctors at Children’s because of his progress.

“He’s our little miracle. Without the research done by the March of Dimes, I don’t think he would be here today,” said his mom, holding back the tears.

This year’s March for Babies will take place on Thursday, April 24 at Long Memorial Park in Farmington. Registration for the event begins at 5 p.m. and the March of Dimes is recruiting teams for the walk. A team kick-off event took place last Wednesday at Ryan’s Steakhouse.

Mary McEntire and Mary Forest are co-chairs for this year’s walk. The two explained the walk has been renamed so that it stays close to what the event is all about — healthy babies.

“One out of 12 babies is born prematurely. It’s hard to believe that statistic,” said McEntire.

The goal for this year’s walk is $40,000, an increase from last year’s goal. McEntire said the walk is looking for teams and sponsorships for this year’s event. To sign up a team or for more information, contact McEntire at 747-2074.

Centene Corporation and Liberty Tax Service are sponsoring two new teams this year. Tina Pace of Liberty Tax Service says she has taken part in the Relay for Life in the past and is “excited” about joining in the March for Babies.

“After talking with (Southeast Division Director) Debbie Atchison, our team decided to get involved this year,” said Pace. “It’s a very worthy cause.”

Glenda Pride walks with the Genevieve Baptist Church team. She says her inspiration to take part comes from those families she knows who have had children born prematurely or with health problems. This past November, her great-nephew — Avery Reissing — was not born prematurely but had to spend a couple of months in the NICU.

“He gives me a little more incentive (to walk) this year,” Pride admitted.

Dr. Sonya Williams, local OB-GYN, was introduced as the Honorary Chairperson for this year.

“Premature babies are something I see on a regular basis and are near and dear to my heart,” she said.

Dr. Williams said at one point, a birth at less than 30 weeks gestation had “slim” chances for a baby to survive.

“Now, at 23 weeks, there is a chance for a baby to survive,” she said.

Dr. Williams also credited the March of Dimes for its work in helping third world countries fight the growing number of premature births.

An announcement was made by Dr. Williams of a new grant of the Southeast Missouri Division of the March of Dimes. The grant is named in recognition of McEntire for her work with the organization.

Division Director Atchison announced the top three individual fundraisers for last year’s walk. They were McEntire, Tammy Bloodworth and Price.

Co-chair Forest said the Farmington walk is used as a model for the “success in what they do”.

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