LIHU‘E — The March of Dimes’ March for Babies is moving. Previously held at Lydgate Park, this year’s walk heads to Kukui Grove Center as it partners with the annual STEPS Parent and Child Resource Fair, April 2, said Cheryl
LIHU‘E — The March of Dimes’ March for Babies is moving.
Previously held at Lydgate Park, this year’s walk heads to Kukui Grove Center as it partners with the annual STEPS Parent and Child Resource Fair, April 2, said Cheryl Ann Farrell, the March of Dimes event coordinator, Wednesday.
Farrell was on hand at Starbucks Coffee at Kukui Grove to help team leaders register their family team, company team, or if already registered, just come and share the fellowship with other walkers and this year’s March of Dimes Ambassador Family, the Sapp family from Kekaha.
“We’re really excited about this year’s event,” Farrell said in a release. “Not only is this our 41st Anniversary for the March for Babies, but we’ve partnered with the annual STEPS Parent and Child Resource Fair. We expect both our events will benefit because now, families can easily attend both events right here in Kukui Grove.”
Farrell said this year’s March for Babies starts with registration at 6:45 a.m., April 2, with the walk starting at 8 a.m. The STEPS Parent and Child Resource Fair starts at 11 a.m.
Walkers are able to participate in either a 1.5-mile course, or a 3-mile loop around Kukui Grove Center.
“We’ll have prizes, food, games, and more for all the walkers,” Farrell said. “Of course, we’ll be raising money to help families like the Sapps.”
The March of Dimes on Kaua‘i helps local families when a pregnancy is headed to a premature delivery, the release states.
A full-term pregnancy is 40 to 42 weeks, and any baby born prematurely can have under-developed lungs which can lead to respiratory problems, shallow breathing and pneumonia.
Other complications such as blood infections, digestive distress, and other health issues make it difficult for these small keiki to survive.
The comparison on how small premature children can be was graphically demonstrated by a poster showing actual diaper sizes of a child born after full pregnancy compared to one born prematurely.
That display hung behind Kelly and Stella Sapp who turned out to greet March of Dimes supporters.
Stella had an original due date of Dec. 16, but was delivered seven weeks premature on Oct. 31, at just 33 weeks of term, tipping the scales at just 3.4 pounds.
With continued research, equipment, and volunteer support, moms like Kelly and babies such as Stella Sapp are able to benefit from the support and medical advances provided by the March of Dimes, the release says.
Kaua‘i County Council Chair Jay Furfaro, on his way to the weekly council meeting, could not help but inquire on what was taking place, noting that he is aware of the work being done by the March of Dimes.
Luciana Vasques of Oceanic Time Warner made it a point to pick up its team packet for the fundraising walk, Vasques saying they’ve done it for the past three years.
Kenny Ishii of Ono Family Restaurant in Kapa‘a was wearing the hat of the Dads Coalition, a community-based group aimed at getting fathers involved in the raising of young children.
“The Dads Coalition supports what the March of Dimes is doing,” Ishii said. “We’re forming a team and hope to have our dads and their children out for the event.”
People interested in becoming part of the event while helping Kaua‘i’s young children can register online at www.marchforbabies.org, call Farrell at 652-1284, or e-mail cfarrell@marchofdimes.com.
The March for Babies is sponsored nationally by the March of Dimes top corporate sponsors, Kmart, the Farmers Insurance Group, Bayer HealthCare, CIGNA, Famous Footwear, FedEx, Sanofi Pasteur, United Airlines, First Response, and Mission Pharmacal.
They are joined in Hawai‘i by Kiewit, Hawai‘i Medical Ambulance Association, and Longs Drugs.
• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
