Thousands Will March for Stronger, Healthier Babies at Rentschler Field

On Sunday, April 28 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, thousands of families and business leaders will join together to March for Babies—the March of Dimes walk honoring babies born healthy and those who need help to survive and thrive. Funds raised help support prenatal wellness programs, research grants, neonatal intensive care unit family support programs and advocacy efforts for stronger, healthier babies. 

Helping to lead the festivities will be the 2013 Ambassadors, the Mips family of Ellington. Oliver Mips was born 14 weeks too soon due to intrauterine growth restriction and weighed just 1 lb. 3 oz.  He received surfactant, a therapy funded in part through the March of Dimes, to help mature his tiny lungs.  He spent 476 consecutive days in the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center’s neonatal intensive care unit before he was finally able to come home.  Oliver will turn two years old just three weeks after the event.

“We are honored to be the Greater Hartford Ambassador family because we are truly thankful to the March of Dimes and to all of those who have contributed to the organization.  Without surfactant therapy, Oliver would not be here with us today,” said Angela Mips. 

Also leading the event will be Lt. J. Paul Vance of the Connecticut State Police.  Vance, a grandfather to a six-year old who was born 15 weeks too soon, is the Connecticut Chapter’s 75th Anniversary Ambassador.

“This unique organization has brought together presidents, celebrities, scientists, parents and citizens to ensure that babies get a healthy start, as and a father and grandfather, there is nothing more important,” said Vance. “I am proud to support the March of Dimes and I’m thrilled to help celebrate 75 years of accomplishments for babies.” 

Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the event at 10 a.m.  Participants and kids will enjoy bounce houses, music from The River 105.9, visits from Pucky the Whale & Jonathan the UConn husky, Lego activities, a special fitness scavenger hunt for prizes, complimentary snacks and more.   To register visit marchforbabies.org or marchofdimes.com/ct.  All walkers who raise $200 or more will receive an event t-shirt and those raising $350 or more will have the choice of a Macy’s or Kmart gift card.   

The March of Dimes celebrates its 75th anniversary this year and its ongoing work to help all babies get a healthy start in life.  More than 4 million babies were born in the United States last year, and the March of Dimes has helped each and every one through research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs. 

Greater Hartford March for Babies is sponsored by Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Aetna, Clear Channel Radio, Connecticut Parent Magazine, Lamar, Kidtivity, and supported by statewide sponsors, NBC Connecticut and Comcast.  March for Babies is sponsored nationally by the March of Dimes number one corporate supporter Kmart, Farmers Insurance Group, Macy’s, Cigna, Sanofi Pasteur, Famous Footwear, Actavis, Mission Pharmacal, and United Airlines.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.  Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.