WalkAmerica is good opportunity to participate

To the editor:

Premature birth is a serious and growing problem in the United States. It is the No. 1 obstetrical problem and the leading cause of infant death. One of eight babies in the United States is born prematurely.

Babies born prematurely can also suffer lifelong health consequences such as blindness or mental retardation that put a strain on families and on society.

Premature birth can happen to any woman, just like it happened to me. My daughters, Abigail and Corrine, where born early because I developed a condition called preeclampsia. I did everything right: prenatal care, vitamins, eating right. It could happen to you. Nearly half of all early births happen for unknown reasons. No one is working harder than the March of Dimes to find out why babies are born too soon.

WalkAmerica is the March of Dimes' biggest and best-known fund-raising event. When you participate in WalkAmerica, you're helping the March of Dimes raise money to fund research and programs to find the causes of prematurity. Please join me and my family in WalkAmerica April 26th at the Common Pleas Courthouse gazebo in downtown Cape Girardeau to help save babies. It's easy to register. Call 573-651-6033 or visit our Web site, walkamerica.org.

When you do, you'll be answering a tiny baby's silent cry for help. Thank you.

TABITHA REECE

Board Member

Southeast Missouri Division

March of Dimes

Cape Girardeau