Everyday in Washington babies are born too soon or too sick. In an average week in Washington 1,671 babies are born, 183 babies are born preterm, 108 babies are born low birthweight, and 8 babies die before reaching their first birthday.

When you walk, you give hope that every baby in Washington will have a healthy start. Money raised through March for Babies supports programs and research to help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

 

Your Story Matters

Brett is a fighter in every sense of the word. He was born early and endured chest tubes, bilateral hernias, constant oxygen and more medications than anyone should bear in a lifetime.  Ryan was born small at 2 pounds 11 ounces. He fought a great battle but on November 27, 2007, little King Ryan took his last breath in the arms of his Mama and Papa. Remedy was born at 26 weeks. She weighed only 1 pound 8 ounces and was just a tad over a foot long. Her parents waited four long months to bring her home.
These are just some of the touching and inspiring stories that have been shared with the March of Dimes to kick-off its Your Story Matters campaign. The March of Dimes is encouraging everyone to share stories of healthy babies as well as stories of prematurity, a birth defect or infant mortality. 
Your Story Matters allows everyone to tell the March of Dimes about the special baby in their life, whether they were born healthy or too soon and too sick,' said Elaine Noonan, March of Dimes Washington State Director. "These stories are helping us raise awareness about the seriousness of premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality. They will also help families who have experienced a similar journey and inspire others to celebrate the children in their life."

Tell your story.  The March of Dimes has placed everything needed to tell your story on its website at marchofdimes.com/Washington. Simply download the provided template, share your story and email.  In addition, you may print the Your Story Matters templates from the website and send your story to: March of Dimes, Washington Chapter, 1904 Third Avenue Suite 230, Seattle, WA 98101. All of the instructions and some tips on writing your story are also posted on the website. 
The March of Dimes will display the stories at a special Your Story Matters area at each of Washington state's March for Babies locations in April and May. Complete details here.

 

Here are 5 easy steps to March for Babies.
1. Sign up at marchforbabies.org .Join a team or start your own in honor of a baby you love.
2. Set your dollar goal at $200. Aim high; many walkers raise $200-$300 and some more than $1,000.
3. Invite family, friends, and neighbors to walk with you. You'll raise more money and share a meaningful experience.
4. Ask for donations. Send out e-mails asking people to support your walk by making an easy and secure contribution.
5. Lace up your shoes. Join us on March for Babies day. With every step you take, you're helping babies.

Join the March of Dimes and KWJZ to help raise funds to support research and community programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies.  KWJZ will be onsite at March for Babies this year at three locations, stop by our KWJZ booth, say 'hello' and enter to win prizes.  Start a team, join a team or walk individually, register today and walk for babies.  

 

Washington's babies are counting on you; March for Babies is coming to a location near you.  To register click here.

Kitsap County Saturday, April 17, 2010 Ridgetop Jr. High School, Silverdale Registration: 7:30 am	Snohomish County Saturday, April 24, 2010 American Legion Memorial Park, Everett Registration: 7:30 am
Team Bethel Saturday, April 24, 2010 Cedarcrest Jr. High School, Spanaway Registration: 8:30 am	Thurston County - Join KWJZ Saturday, April 24, 2010 Olympia High School, Olympia Registration: 7:30 am
Pierce County - Join KWJZ Saturday, May 1, 2010 Point Defiance-Owens Beach, Tacoma Registration: 7:30 am	Greater Puget Sound - Join KWJZ Saturday, May 15, 2010 Seattle Center-Fisher Pavilion, Seattle Registration: 8:30 am