Mayor Billy Kenoi has proclaimed April 27 to be “March of
Mayor Billy Kenoi has proclaimed April 27 to be “March of
Dimes March For Babies Day” in Hilo. The annual March for Babies walk will take place that day at Wailoa State Park.
Registration begins at 6:45 a.m., with an opening ceremony at 7:45 a.m. and walking getting under way at 8 a.m. Area residents are encouraged to register and raise funds for lifesaving research and educational programs. To register for the walk, visit www.marchforbabies.org.
The official 2013 Hilo March for Babies Ambassador Family is Warren, Leihani and Kirrah Duldulao.
In making the proclamation, Kenoi noted that one of eight babies in the U.S., and one of seven babies in Hawaii, are born prematurely, nearly half for unknown causes.”
The incidence of premature birth, which is the leading cause of infant death, has risen 29 percent since 1981, and premature babies who survive often suffer long-term consequences including chronic health conditions or developmental disabilities.
For 71 years, the March of Dimes has been fighting for the health and wellbeing of America’s children through programs of research, education, community services and advocacy.
Because premature birth is a common, serious and costly problem that affects us all, the March of Dimes has made research into why premature birth happens and what can be done to prevent it a top priority.
The March of Dimes WalkAmerica, now the March for Babies, first held in 1970, has raised more than $1 billion to support the cutting-edge research and innovative programs that have helped babies get a healthy start.