March for Babies set for Sept. 24

March for Babies set for Sept. 24

Annual March of Dimes benefit returns to West Memphis

ralphhardin@gmail.com The March of Dimes’ mission to fight against infant mortality, premature birth and birth defects is a neverending battle. As part of that battle, one of the group’s biggest events of the year is the annual March for Babies.

On Sept. 24, the march continues. Once again, the Academies of West Memphis will play host to the Crittenden County March for Babies. Registration begins at 8 a.m. at Lehr Arena, with the 2-mile walk beginning at 9 a.m.

All proceeds will benefit the March of Dimes’ mission.

Over 400 walkers are expected to participate, representing companies, schools, clubs and family teams.

Local sponsors include: ASU Mid-South, Bacon's Foreign Auto Parts, Elect Keith Ingram, Evolve Bank & Trust, Ford of West Memphis, Langston Bag Company, The Women's Clinic, Works Health Fitness Center, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.

The 2016 March for Babies Chair is Crittenden County Judge Woody Wheeless, who has been a supporter of the March of Dimes for many years.

“The work of the March of Dimes is so important because Crittenden County has high rates of infant mortality and prematurityhigher than the national rates.” said Wheeless. “Locally, the rate of prematurity is 17.3 percent, with the goal to reduce this to 9.6 percent by 2020.”

Wheeless provided some sobering statistics “Besides the emotional costs to the family, the average financial cost of having a premature baby is about $50,000, which is more than 12 times the cost of a full-term baby,” he said. “In addition, almost 30 percent of all pregnant women right here in our backyard receive little or no pre-natal care, also contributing to high rates of prematurity.”

Bank night for turning in your team's money will take place on Thursday September 22nd between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., at the West Memphis Chamber of Commerce office. Money can also be turned in the morning of the walk beginning at 8 a.m. at the West Memphis High School.

For more information about supporting March for Babies, contact Holmes Hammett at

hhammett@wmcoc.com or 870-735-1134.

By Ralph Hardin