UAB Synopsis, Vol. 25, No. 6, March 13, 2006
With a $100,000 fundraising goal, UAB Health System’s (UABHS) annual March of Dimes WalkAmerica campaign is in full swing, culminating April 29 in a 10-K walk starting at 9 AM. Registration begins at 8 AM, UAB Mini Park, University Boulevard and 14th Street South.
The March of Dimes is dedicated to preventing prematurity, low birth weight, and birth defects. Nearly 500,000 babies are born prematurely in the United States each year, with an average of 180 preterm births and 114 low birth weight babies per week in Alabama — an increase of nearly 2% since 1993.
UABHS teams or departments may sponsor a baby in University Hospital’s Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RNICU) or Continuing Care Nursery (CCN). “We will provide photos and reports of your baby ambassador’s progress,” says Madonna Nichols, RN, MSN, administrative director of hospital Women’s and Infants Services, and one of six hospital team captains. “We also can add your ambassador baby to the March of Dimes website so you may track online donations and information.” Nichols says some families are willing to visit a unit or department to talk about being the parent of a sick newborn. “By personalizing the experience, we hope people will be more vested in raising funds and participating in this effort,” she says.
“This is one of those rare opportunities when we can make a significant difference in children’s health and future even before they are born,” says University Hospital COO Michael Waldrum, MD, campaign chair and executive champion.
For more information about how you can make a donation or participate in the campaign, please contact Campaign Co-chair and UABHS Administrative Director Jordan DeMoss at 996-5272, jdemoss@uab.edu.