March for Babies to step off Sunday in Naperville
When Grace and Charlie Wallin of Naperville were born at just 24 weeks they were so tiny their father's wedding ring could fit easily over one shoulder.
The babies, about 1 pound, 4 ounces each, spent 121 days in the neonatal intensive care unit at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove as their family waited and prayed. Even after they went home, the next two years were filled with additional tests and treatments.
"Two years (after their birth) they're happy and healthy and we owe it all to Good Sam and the March of Dimes," said mom Ann Wallin. "Both were there when we needed them the most and funded research necessary to give preemies a fighting chance."
The Wallins are this year's DuPage County ambassador family for the March for Babies taking place at 9 a.m. Sunday, April 26, at Naperville's Riverwalk along Jackson Avenue. Registration begins at 8 a.m.
More than half a million babies each year are born premature and more than 120,000 babies are born with serious birth defects, according to the March of Dimes. The group performs research on preventing premature birth and birth defects and gives support to families.
"It's the research the March of Dimes does that gives premature babies a fighting chance to survive," said Claire Orphan, communications coordinator for the group. "Families like the Wallin family and families all over the world are benefiting from the research done here."
March for Babies began in 1970 and is the March of Dimes' largest national fundraiser. The group is expecting about 2,000 people to hit the pavement for the 6.2-mile walk in Naperville. There is no cost to register but those walking as teams are encouraged to raise money for the cause.
The Wallin family began walking in 2007 just a month after the twins were released from the hospital. Ann gave birth to her third child, Ava, just two days after last year's event.
"Any family who has given birth to a child has received some sort of support from the March of Dimes, be it attention to what to do when you're pregnant to support when you have a new baby," Wallin said. "And hopefully your baby is healthy and you don't need to know about the NICU but you don't need to know because the March of Dimes has given you prenatal support."
For more information on the walk call (800) 525-9255 or visit marchforbabies.org.
<p class="factboxheadblack">March for Babies</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 8 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. walk on Sunday, April 26</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Naperville's Riverwalk along Jackson Avenue</p> <p class="News"><b>Info: </b>(800) 525-9255 or <a href="http://www.marchforbabies.org" target="new">marchforbabies.org</a></p>