WalkAmerica to help save babies born before their time

Central Valley — March of Dimes WalkAmerica, a fundraising walk event, will take place on April 29 at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets to help the March of Dimes fight prematurity, a growing crisis that now affects half a million babies born in the U.S. every year. The number of babies born prematurely each year has increased by 30 percent since 1983. In Orange County, one child in eight was born prematurely last year. Premature birth is the leading killer of newborns and a major cause of disabilities. “We need everyone in Orange County to join WalkAmerica,” said Ed Diana, 2007 Honorary WalkAmerica Chair. WalkAmerica in Orange County will be a fun and exciting day for the whole family. Each walker will receive a complimentary Woodbury Common Premium Outlets VIP Coupon Book filled with hundreds of dollars in savings from select stores. WalkAmerica proceeds support the research and programs to find out how to prevent premature births. Locally, the Department of Health was approved for a grant to provide coordination and implementation of a series of perinatal education opportunities utilizing the March of Dimes curricula, Comenzando bien and the Pregnancy Workshop in Orange County. Registration for the event at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets will begin at 8 a.m., with the walk to follow at 9 a.m. To join the event, visit www.walkamerica.org or call 454-8850.