March for Babies hopes to raise more this year

GAINESVILLE - It was a good morning for the 2011 March for Babies hosted by the March of Dimes in Gainesville at Longstreet Clinic.

Around 500 marchers in 60 teams took a Saturday morning walk according Candace Turner, March of Dimes Community Director for Hall County.

Turner said the teams walk for pledges but also do fund raising all year long for a cause that is very important locally and nationally; saving infants born ill or several days and weeks pre-mature.

"In this country every year there are over 500,000 babies that are born early or born sick," Turner said. "In Georgia that equates to 400 children a week."

Mellissa Tarantino, her husband and their twelve month old daughter Isabella were among the marchers helping to raise $115,000 this year.

"I'm a labor and delivery nurse so I try deal with trying to avoid pre-mature babies every day," she said. "I'm always supporting that."

Turner said the march raised $113,000 last year and this year she expects to exceed this year's goal.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2011/4/238345