Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05

March of Dimes Foothills Division Hosts WalkAmerica Kickoff Luncheon

Story by Ron Fitzwater

The March of Dimes dates from 1938 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis [NFIP]—a partnership between scientists and volunteers—with the mission of defeating polio. The organization as it is known today takes its name from the NFIP’s first fundraising drive that asked citizens to send their dimes to Roosevelt at the White House. The program was called the March of Dimes.

Wednesday, March 14 officers and volunteers of the March of Dimes gathered for the 2007 kickoff luncheon for the Foothills Division WalkAmerica walk-a-thon.

Local radio personality Sam Tate, master of ceremonies for the luncheon, welcomed those present saying, “WalkAmerica is one of the nation’s oldest, most well known walk-a-thons—it started in 1970 with just two chapters. Over the years this event has grown to more than 1,000 walk sites across the country, with more than a half million walkers from over 26,000 teams.” Tate said the purpose of the luncheon was to provide prospective team captains, “with background on the March of Dimes and information about team building and fundraising, as well as the materials they need to “introduce WalkAmerica to their company, colleagues, family and friends.”

The 2007 Foothills Division WalkAmerica chair and CEO of Watauga Medical Center Richard Sparks addressed the group, announcing the goal of the 2007 walk-a-thon is $50,000. The 2006 walk-a-thon raised $30,000 from 100 participants representing fifteen corporate and family teams. “In the effort to improve the health of babies, money for research and education is essential,” Sparks said. “However, this is about more than money. It is about a precious asset, our children, and it is about a priceless condition, their health.”

Chrystal Bell, local community director of the March of Dimes, presented the local view: “Most people don’t understand what a serious problem premature birth is. Premature birth affects one in eight babies. Currently, North Carolina ranks 47 in the U.S. for infant mortality—there are only three states with higher rates. North Carolina also ranks 43 for preterm birth.”

March of Dimes benefits recipient and ambassador Tara Handy of Wilkes County spoke to the group about her personal experiences with premature birth and the March of Dimes. Handy’s sister lost a child to premature birth, and both of Handy’s children, Trey and Taylor, were borne prematurely. Fighting back tears, Handy told of the birth of her first child, son Trey, born at 31 weeks. “Little Trey was born weighing three pounds, ten ounces and was only fifteen inches long.” Handy said. “While I was pushing, his heart stopped beating. I remember being surrounded by doctors and nurses; they took him away so fast after he was born that I didn’t see him. I didn’t even know something was wrong.” Handy explained that because of oxygen deprivation, Trey’s prognosis was uncertain. However, thanks to medical care and life-saving drugs developed through March of Dimes funding, he is now a “happy, healthy and very normal 15-month-old child.” Handy experienced much the same situation with her second child, 3-month-old Taylor. Again, thanks to treatments and medications created through the March of Dimes, her daughter also survived. “I know that I have been truly blessed with two miracle babies. I owe tremendous thanks to the March of Dimes for the research they have funded that brought about so many of the therapies and medical treatments I received and that saved my children’s lives. I have formed a family team this year and I am calling it ‘Fighting for 9’ because I believe that every woman has a right to a full nine months of pregnancy.” Handy challenged the group to get involved with WalkAmerica because she was “living proof” of the program’s success.

Each year, more than 460,000 children are born prematurely, some so small that they can fit in the palm of your hand. Many of these children fight just to survive, while others face life-long health problems. There is no one known cause for half of all premature births.

The 2007 Foothills Division of the March of Dimes WalkAmerica event is scheduled for May 19. Walker check-in will begin at 9:00 a.m. with the walk beginning at 10:00 am. The location for the walk is the Greenway Trail—starting at the Watauga Medical Center parking deck, inside or on top, depending on the weather.

Individuals and businesses interested in participating in the 2007 WalkAmerica are asked to contact Unicity Dittmer, community director for the Foothills Division of the March of Dimes, at 828-464-9835. Find additional information about the March of Dimes and WalkAmerica at marchofdimes.com.