2019 March for Babies

Join hundreds of families and local business leaders on Sunday, April 28th at Frederick High School, for March for Babies to fight for the health of all moms and babies. On-site registration will begin at 10:00 a.m. with the three-mile walk kicking off at 11:00 a.m. The event will include live music, a fun zone for children and refreshments. You can sign up today at marchforbabies.org and begin fundraising. Start a team with your company, family or friends. You can also donate directly.

This year’s Western Maryland ambassador family is thirteen-year-old Kalia Salifou and her family. In 2005, Jeanine and Idris Salifou were starting their family. But at 25 weeks, doctors were alarmed by Jeanine’s high blood pressure and delivered baby Kalia via emergency c-section. Weighing just one pound, Kalia faced breathing, feeding, and other difficulties and spent 6 months fighting for life in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU). Kalia was then transferred to a pediatric rehabilitation hospital for two months before being able to go home. Today the Salifou family is dedicated to sharing their story to inspire others to help give every baby, and every family, a brighter start!

“When you March for Babies, you make a statement that you want to live in a world in which healthy moms and strong babies are a priority for us all,” says Jeanine. “It’s a day for everyone. Together we hope for the day when all moms and babies are healthy. We remember those babies we lost. We celebrate every baby.”

March of Dimes gives more than 4 million babies born each year the best possible start. Nearly half a million of them are born prematurely or with birth defects. Premature birth and its complications are the largest contributors to infant death in the U.S. and pregnancy-related death has more than doubled over the past 25 years. March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy so that every baby can have the best possible start. Building on a successful 80-year legacy of impact and innovation, we empower every mom and every family.

March for Babies is sponsored nationally by Kmart, Famous Footwear, Macy’s, HCA, Cigna, Pampers and regionally by Publix Super Markets, Inc. March for Babies is sponsored locally by Capital Women’s Care, Frederick Memorial Hospital, AstraZeneca, Subway and Safeway.