March for Babies walks set throughout suburbs
When Laura and Steve Marcomb of Antioch were finally expecting twins and determined to do everything right with the pregnancy, they knew Laura should get enough folic acid in her diet because it would help prevent birth defects.
Before Jennifer McDonald of South Elgin delivered her daughter, Meagan, eight weeks early, doctors gave her a steroid injection meant to strengthen the baby girl’s lungs before she was forced to take her first breath.
As Kristin and Bryan Greske waited 15 weeks for their son, Henry, to be ready to come home from the hospital, they learned about tests and treatments their boy would need. And Kristin found comfort in support groups and online communities that helped her cope with all her family was going through.
Whether they knew it or not, each family was helped and supported by the March of Dimes.
The nonprofit organization, celebrating its 75th year, strives to give babies a healthy start. It funds research that has led to the development of medicines and treatments that help premature babies survive and thrive. And it works with parents before and after delivery to help them prepare for the birth and to bring the baby home.
On Sunday, April 28, families all over the suburbs will return the support to March of Dimes by participating in March for Babies walks to fund further research and programs. The Marcombs, McDonalds and Greskes each will walk as local ambassador families.
Today, they tell us about their babies’ arrivals and the help they received from the March of Dimes.
If you go
A number of March for Babies walks are scheduled throughout the suburbs. Heres a look at whats happening in our area:
Bolingbrook
When: Registration begins at 8 a.m. Sunday, April 28; walk steps off at 9 a.m.
Where: Bolingbrook Promenade Mall, 631 E. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook
Distance: 3.1 miles
Info: (815) 600-8086
DuPage
When: Registration begins at 8 a.m. Sunday, April 28; walk steps off at 9 a.m.
Where: Naperville Riverwalk, 736 W. Jackson Ave., Naperville
Distance: 3.1 miles
Info: (312) 435-4007
Fox Valley
When: Registration begins at 8 a.m. Sunday, April 28; walk steps off at 9 a.m.
Where: Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Ave., St. Charles
Distance: 3.1 miles
Info: (312) 435-4007
Hoffman Estates
When: Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 20; walk steps off at 11:15 a.m.
Where: Sears Holding Corp. Headquarters, 3333 Beverly Road, Hoffman Estates
Distance: 1.5 miles
Info: (312) 435-4007
Lake County
When: Registration begins at 8 a.m. Sunday, April 28; walk steps off at 9 a.m.
Where: Old School Forest Preserve shelters C, D and E; Libertyville
Distance: 3.1 miles
Info: (312) 435-4007
Lakefront
When: Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, April 28; walk steps off at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Grant Parks Butler Field, 100 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
Distance: 3.1 miles
Info: (312) 435-4007
McHenry County
When: Registration begins at 8 a.m. Sunday, May 19; walk steps off at 9 a.m.
Where: McHenry County Community College, 8900 US Highway 14, Crystal Lake
Distance: 3.11 miles
Info: (815) 397-0097
North suburban
When: Registration begins at 8 a.m. Sunday, April 28; walk steps off at 9 a.m.
Where: Busse Woods Boat Dock, Higgins and Frontage roads, Elk Grove
Distance: 3.1 miles
Info: (312) 435-4007