DANVILLE - The Danville and Williamsport March for Babies have joined forces to give rise to the new Susquehanna Valley March for Babies to include walkers and runners from Montour, Columbia, Northumberland and Lycoming Counties. In 2011, more than 600 walkers, runners, and volunteers raised over $61,000 in these communities.
On Sunday, May 6, the 5K Run for Babies starts at 9 a.m. at the Knapper Clinic and the March for Babies starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Henry Hood Center for Health Research, both on the Geisinger Medical Center campus. Susquehanna Valley residents may register for both events at www.marchforbabies.org.
"One out of every nine babies born in Pennsylvania is premature, and that's just not acceptable," said Lynn Miller, executive vice-president of clinical operations at Geisinger Health System and honorary chairperson of the Susquehanna Valley March for Babies. "Together with the March of Dimes, we are running and walking to increase awareness of the prevalence of prematurity, prevent premature births and to offer help and hope to families when something does go wrong."
"We're so excited to have Lynn Miller on board to help us at the local level," said Deborah Pollock, division director for the March of Dimes Northeast PA Division. "Her passion for the cause and commitment to helping our babies will be a huge driving factor in the success of our event this year. We are very grateful for her time and support."
March for Babies funds support prenatal wellness programs, research grants, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) family support programs and advocacy efforts for stronger, healthier babies. Currently, the March of Dimes is investing more than $99 million nationally and $3.8 million in Pennsylvania in research and programs.
Geisinger is the March of Dimes Pennsylvania Prematurity Partner, and Geisinger President and CEO Glenn D. Steele Jr., M.D., Ph.D., serves as honorary chairperson of the March of Dimes Pennsylvania Prematurity Campaign.
The March of Dimes NICU Family Support® Program at Geisinger helps parents cope when babies are born prematurely. Throughout 35 central and northeast Pennsylvania counties, the program is located at the Janet Weis Children's Hospital at Geisinger Medical Center, the country's first rural NICU Family Support site. The March of Dimes' NICU Family Support® License Program at St. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem serves the needs of families experiencing a NICU stay from across five counties in the Lehigh Valley.
