Ascarate Park Hosts March Of Dimes Walk

A baby can enrich your life, maybe even completing it. And when that baby needs extra help, or is born premature, the March of Dimes is there to help families.

This weekend, the organization held its annual event to raise awareness about the health of babies.

It’s the purest of sounds and sights – children playing with that glee only they have. “One day, the hope is that every baby will be born healthy,” said Justin Lowenfield, the event’s organizer.

But that’s not the reality just yet. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 12.5 percent of babies in the U.S. are born premature each year. That’s half a million babies, and that takes a toll on families.

“It’s a really hard time for them to be in the hospital, seeing their babies in the hospital, all small,” said Astrid Acosta, a nurse who’s also a mom.

That’s why she is glad to see others joining in the fight to save young lives.

“That hope, that their babies can grow and they can grow to jump, and play with other kids and go to school, and do all the other things that all the kids do,” said Acosta.

And what kids do are the things that, for some, make life complete. “This is our pride and joy and we have another one on the way. This is what it’s all about – these little guys,” said Lowenfield.

Those little guys – healthy and happy today – because their moms and dads knew what to do when they were infants.

“Motherhood is the hardest thing ever, but it’s the most worthwhile and you see everything in different ways, very beautiful,” said Astrid.

March of Dimes organizers had hoped to raise 225 million dollars, and as of last count had exceeded that goal, raising $250 million.

A beautiful view, on a beautiful day, for a worthwhile cause.