SATURDAY'S LOCAL WALKAMERICA TO HELP MARCH OF DIMES

Jerra Hutson had problems with her first pregnancy, but her baby was born with no major complications because the problems were detected early with a screening test developed through research funded by the March of Dimes.

"I'm one of many people affected by March of Dimes, but I didn't even know it at the time," said Hutson, who will participate in Saturday's WalkAmerica fund raiser for March of Dimes at Cape Girardeau County Park. The goal this year is to raise $27,000.

An alpha fetoprotein test, now routinely given to women early in their pregnancies, detected a uterine problem that was keeping the baby Hutson was carrying from growing at a normal weight.

Because doctors were alerted early, they kept up with that baby's progress through ultrasounds, gave Hutson a drug to help develop the baby's lungs and delivered the baby early. While Hutson's son Alec weighed only 2 pounds, 15 ounces at birth, he had no major problems and is now a healthy 3-year-old.

By the time Hutson had her second baby, Ethan, now 5 weeks old, doctors knew more about the condition that caused the problems and could do more to prevent problems.

Many of the tests and treatments that helped Hutson were developed because of research funded by the March of Dimes, she said.

Susan Davis, division director for the March of Dimes in Cape Girardeau, said that many people think of the agency as one that helps children with birth defects, and that is an important function.

"But the organization also funds research and conducts education campaigns aimed at preventing birth defects," Davis said.

March of Dimes-funded research helped develop ultrasound, which uses sound waves to get a visual image of the baby in the womb and screening tests like the alpha fetoprotein test that can detect many problems before a baby is born.

March of Dimes has also funded research on treating those defects, either after the baby is born or even performing fetal surgery while the baby is still in the womb, Davis said.

Newborns are given a PKU test to detect a disorder that can cause mental retardation if the wrong foods are eaten. Children are given vaccines to prevent polio and rubella. Expectant mothers are encouraged to get enough folic acid to prevent spina bifida, a nerve tube defect.

All are breakthroughs funded by the March of Dimes, said Davis, who added that 81 cents of every dollar donated to the Missouri March of Dimes goes to research, advocacy, community programs and educational training.

"March of Dimes has probably touched you or someone in your life, whether you have had a vaccine or are a mother, father, grandparent of a healthy infant or one with birth defects," Davis said.

A birth defect can happen to anyone, said Michelle Riggs, who lives in Potosi, works in Farmington and is participating in the WalkAmerica event that will be held in Farmington Thursday.

Riggs' son Chad, now 1, was born without an outside opening to his anus. Riggs said she feels fortunate that doctors were able to correct the problem, although it took three surgeries.

"I did everything by the book, everything I was supposed to do and it still happened," Riggs said of her son's birth defect. "It can happen to anyone."

Riggs said besides her own son's case, she saw the struggles faced by other families that she met the times Chad was in the hospital.

"It can be heartbreaking to see what these tiny babies must go through. So I'm doing what I can for March of Dimes to keep it from happening to others," Riggs said of her support of the March of Dimes WalkAmerica fund raiser.

For WalkAmerica, participants ask friends, co-workers and family members to pledge money to sponsor them in the walk. Pledge forms are available by calling the March of Dimes office at 651-6033, visiting its Web site at www.innovativeidea.com/modimes or at shelter 8 at Cape Country Park North on Saturday morning.

Davis said the event is being promoted as a fun, family event, and there will be music, entertainment and food there.

"Our theme is 'Walk for Those Who Can't,' for those who have birth defects," Davis said. "But it's also a walk to celebrate those babies who were born healthy because of the efforts of March of Dimes."

WalkAmerica

What: A fund raiser for March of Dimes

When: Saturday, with registration at 9 a.m. and the walk beginning at 10.

Where: Shelter 8 at Cape Girardeau County Park North.

How to participate: For information on donating or a sponsor sheet, call the March of Dimes at 651-6033 or visit its Web site at www.innovativeidea.com/modimes