Walk To Help March Of Dimes Keep Babies Healthy

By Carol Cain
CBS 62 
There's  nothing sweeter in the world than the sight of a happy, healthy,  smiling baby -- which is why thousands will walk with a single purpose: to help prevent premature births and other infant health issues.

One in  eight babies is born prematurely in Metro Detroit, which can cause problems  later in life.

To help educate people and raise funds for research into causes and prevention,  thousands will walk in the March of Dimes  "Help Babies Be Born Healthy" events.

There are four walks taking place this weekend:

• Wayne State University in Midtown Detroit on April 29

• Nankin Mills in Hines Park on April 28

• Metropark Plaza Area at Lake St. Clair Metropark on April 29

• Somerset Collection in Troy on April 29

The March of Dimes has partnered with the Detroit Medical Center and Wayne State University in the Midtown walk taking place on Sunday.

"March For Babies gives me an opportunity to be a part of something I deeply believe in and give back to an organization that helps so many families. And as a father I can't think of a more important cause than our babies," said Dr. Joel Kahn, Health and Wellness Director for the Detroit Medical Center who appeared on a special  "Michigan Matters For The Web" look into the crisis.

"We are extremely grateful for our thousands of corporate and individual participants, volunteers, sponsors and partners that make March for Babies possible. Their passion for the cause and commitment is essential in helping our babies,"  added Laura Loughridge,  state director of the March of Dimes, who also appeared.

Registration for the Midtown event takes place at 8 a.m. on Wayne State University's Campus in Midtown Detroit. The 3.4-mile walk starts at 9:00 and will  feature family fun events including music, a Yoga Shelter  and Detroit's own Jill Jack will sing the National Anthem.

Last year, March for Babies in metropolitan Detroit raised more than $1.4 million. March for Babies began across the nation in 1970 and has raised  $2 billion since then. The March of Dimes will hold 21 walks in all across the state .

Premature birth is still the most urgent infant health problem in the U.S.and affects more than half a million babies each year, including more than 15,000 births in Michigan.

Funds raised by March for Babies in Michigan support prenatal wellness programs, research grants, newborn intensive care unit  and advocacy efforts.

To find out more about a walk in your community,  www.marchforbabies.org.

(Carol Cain is the Emmy winning Senior Producer and Host of "Michigan Matters" which airs 11:30 a.m. Sundays on CBS62. She writes a column in Sunday's Detroit Free Press on politics and business. You can reach her at clcain@cbs.com or 248-355-7126)