Participates in march for babies

The family of Presleigh and Noah Saathoff participated in the March for Babies in downtown Kansas City on Sunday, May 3. The “March” is held annually, and is the largest fundraising event for the March of Dimes. We marched, specifically for Presleigh and Noah, but also for all other children and families affected by troubled pregnancies or unhealthy/premature births.
Twenty-three people participated in the one mile walk as part of our team, the “ONE Pounders”. Not knowing what to expect during our fundraising efforts, our original goal was to collect $250. Our team ultimately ended up collecting $1103 to be donated to the March of Dimes. We appreciate all who donated and everyone who helped raise money as well.
Together, Presleigh and Noah went from babies that each had a 40% chance of survival, to healthy 2 year olds who were able to easily walk half of the 1 mile march, although they were a big part of us being the last team to cross the finish line! Their “adventure” is the reason that we walked in the March for Babies. We realize that without the research that is conducted by the March of Dimes and the advancements that have results, Presleigh and Noah, along with countless other children, would not be here today.
Even with all of the advancements that have been made, there is more that needs to be done to save more babies that are born too early and to help those kids to go on to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. There is more than needs to be done to prevent premature births so that babies and families will not have to spend months in NICU’s, and so that parents and families of these babies don’t have to be visitors to them for their first months of life. There is more that needs to be done so that some day people will not walk in memory or in honor of the children that they have lost. That is why we, along with 6000 other people, walked on May 3.

The mission of the March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The mission is carried out through research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies’ lives. March of Dimes researchers, volunteers, educators, outreach workers, and advocates work together to give all babies a fighting chance against the threats to their health; prematurity, birth defects, and low birth weight.