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February 19, 2009 Issue

March of Dimes Kickoff Event at Hospital February 24

March for Babies 2009 Scheduled for April 26 at Kidd Brewer Stadium

Story by Anna Oakes

The St. Clair (left) and Cobb families will appear at the March for Babies kickoff luncheon on Tuesday, February 24, to share their experiences with premature births and encourage people to sign up for the upcoming March for Babies fundraiser. The luncheon takes place at 12:00 p.m. at the Watauga Medical Center auditorium.

On Tuesday, February 24, two familiar High Country couples will share their own personal experiences with premature birth in support of the March of Dimes-sponsored March for Babies, a fundraiser for research and programs working to end premature births and support babies’ health.

ASU Athletics Director Charlie Cobb and wife Lindsay and Blue Ridge Pediatrics’ Dr. Scott St. Clair and wife Cameron ask the community to join them at a March for Babies kickoff luncheon at the Watauga Medical Center auditorium at 12:00 p.m. At the luncheon, interested parties can find information about how to start a March for Babies team for their business or other group and how to become a sponsor. The High Country March for Babies event will take place Sunday, April 26, at Kidd Brewer Stadium.

“We are honored to have the Cobbs and the St. Clairs lead the way,” said Elizabeth Franklin, March of Dimes Foothills Division director, in a press release. “When our leaders publicly stand with a cause they support, they show the whole community the value of volunteer service and community involvement.”

Lindsay and Charlie Cobb both attended N.C. State University where Lindsay played soccer and Charlie played football. They began dating their senior year in college and in 1997 had their first child. After a perfect pregnancy. Lindsay had complications at 30 weeks gestation and went on full bed rest. Their son, Harrison, was born at 32 weeks and spent 23 days in intensive care in Atlanta. In 1998, the family moved to Raleigh. In 2001, the Cobbs welcomed their second child into the world, but in dramatic fashion. Branan Cobb was born at almost 31 weeks via emergency c-section and spent 36 days in intensive care.

Scott and Cameron St. Clair are both originally from Atlanta, Ga., and met in high school. After medical school, Scott began his residency in pediatrics at Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati, and it was there that they welcomed their first child, Price, who was born prematurely. The St. Clairs moved to Boone in July 2002 for Scott to join Blue Ridge Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, and their two younger children were born here.

According to the March of Dimes, the most urgent infant health problem in the U.S. today is premature birth. Babies born too soon are more likely to die or have disabilities. It affects more than half a million babies each year, with the number growing every day. The March of Dimes issued a Report Card on Premature Birth, giving the nation a “D” and North Carolina an “F”.

The March of Dimes is committed to reducing this toll by funding research to find answers to premature birth and providing comfort and information to families who are affected. Babies born healthy need champions, too, to be sure they have access to newborn screening and preventive health care. The March of Dimes supports all babies.

The High Country March for Babies event on Sunday, April 26, will be a family fun day at Kidd Brewer Stadium on the ASU campus. Registration begins at 2:30 p.m. and the walk starts at 3:00 p.m. The field will feature games and activities for kids while adults walk on the track. The rain date is Saturday, May 2.

March for Babies walkers are asked to raise donations for the March of Dimes. Every walker who raises at least $150 will receive a T-shirt, and walkers raising $250 or more are eligible for gift cards and other prizes.

To RSVP to the free luncheon at Watauga Medical Center, call the March of Dimes NC Foothills Division at 828-464-8905 or email troberts@marchofdimes.com by Monday, February 23. To sign up for the March for Babies or for more information, call 828-464-8905 or click to www.MarchforBabies.org.