WALKAMERICA FUND-RAISER FOR MARCH OF DIMES TO BE OCT. 17

The March of Dimes WalkAmerica 1992 will take place in Cape Girardeau Oct. 17 and benefit the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation.

The walk will begin at Capaha Park at 9 a.m.

WalkAmerica is the March of Dimes' largest fund-raising effort, happening in more than 1,400 communities in the United States and involving more than 800,000 participants.

People can participate individually or in teams sponsored by organizations or businesses.

"Every year a quarter of a million babies are born too small," said Sheila Bagby, division director for the March of Dimes.

"These babies are 40 times more likely to die than normal weight babies. WalkAmerica gives everyone in the Cape Girardeau area the opportunity to help the March of Dimes ensure that babies are born healthy free of birth defects and other illnesses."

Funds raised will support programs in Cape Girardeau that include public education, school programs that teach proper nutrition, the importance of early, regular prenatal care, warnings about substance abuse and AIDS education.

The March of Dimes also offers courses for nurses regarding prenatel and perinatal care.

For more information or to register for WalkAmerica, call the March of Dimes office at (314) 785-9540.