In January of 2002, my son Evan was born 9 weeks early and weighed 3 pounds. Thanks to technology and research done by the March of Dimes, he's a healthy and happy 6-year-old who's excelling in first grade. He loves school, music, and sometimes his brother. We're lucky, and I want to do whatever I can to help future preemies beat the odds, much like our Evan has.

In 2007, I raised the most of any individual walker in Crawford County and in 2008, my family was the ambassador family, promoting this event.

Today in the U.S., 1 in every 8 babies will be born prematurely. Some of them won't survive, and others will have health problems that could last a lifetime. The funds we raise in WalkAmerica support research that saves babies' lives.

The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.