March for Babies


 

Lake/Sumter County StepUp

Raised to date
$20,814
Our goal $115,000
 
National Training Center
1935 Don Wickham Drive Track & FIeld Complex, Clermont, FL 34711
Date: Friday, May 15, 2020 8:00 AM
 
Date: May 15, 2020
Event Time: 08:00 AM
Registration Time: 7:00AM
Location:
1935 Don Wickham Drive Track & FIeld Complex, Clermont, FL 34711
National Training Center

Important Update

Our March for Babies celebration is still on, but it looks a little different! We are rapidly preparing for a new, virtualized event that will be fun and engaging for everyone. This change in format aligns with the newly released CDC guidance for large events, to help ensure the safety and health of our participants. More details on our new format to come soon!

 
 
 
 
About March for Babies

THE MONEY YOU RAISE MAKES AN IMPACT

During the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, moms and babies can’t wait. Delivery can’t wait.

By joining March for Babies Step Up! you are helping moms and babies across the country, during a time when it’s needed most. Thanks to you we are adding new programs and resources to help families during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.

Your fundraising supports:

  • Free virtual NICU support program for families
  • Virtual prenatal programs for moms-to-be
  • COVID-19 interventions and support for moms and babies
  • Educational programs, including live Facebook panel discussions, to get info into hands of moms and families
  • Necessary supplies for expectant mothers including blood pressure cuffs and masks

and so much more!

There are so many ways to join March for Babies Step Up!

  1. Register here at marchforbabies.org by clicking "JOIN THIS EVENT".
  2. After registering, you can download the app to participate in our step-tracking challenges.
  3. Start stepping and share your story using #MarchforBabies and #MFBStepUp! You can use our fun social tools to help you spread the word!
  4. Request pledges from friends and family – don’t be shy!
  5. And don’t forget to make your own donation!

You can earn fun March of Dimes fundraising rewards – now through August 15!

And don’t forget - March of Dimes is here to serve as a resource for you, providing the latest information on COVID-19 on our webpage. You can also learn about our newly launched COVID-19 Intervention and Support Fund to ensure families stay informed about COVID-19, and that interventions are developed with moms and babies top of mind and then distributed so everyone across our country has access. Find more here.

By participating in this March of Dimes event, you assume all risks related to attendance and acknowledge and consent to the event terms, including but not limited to March of Dimes' liability waiver and health and safety guidelines, as set forth in detail here.

 

Event progress* $20,814 RAISED (As of Tuesday, Jul 15, 2025)

Raised: $20,814

 
Top fundraisers
 
1
Barb Roland
$3,285
2
Alissa Sustarsic
$1,651
3
Ivy Severance
$430
4
Ann Geffen
$420
5
Kathryn Payne
$403
Top family teams
 
1
Kirin's Kids
$403
2
Phipps Warriors
$258
3
Peggy B. Harris-Smith
$30
Company, School & Org
 
1
LAKE SUMTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE - FL
$2,728
2
LAKE COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR - FL
$847
3
ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY - FL
$505
4
PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS - FL
$379
5
South Lake Hospital
$210
 
 
*The total amount displayed reflects the amount on the team or personal fundraising progress bar. If the progress bar is not displayed on the team or personal page, the team/person won't be displayed on the leaderboard. Leaderboard totals reflect cash and checks marked "received" on the online sponsor form as well as credit card and PayPal donations. Team captains can enter as cash and mark "received" any money raised through promotions, such as bake sales and casual days and any sponsorship money paid to the March of Dimes, on their team's online form. Record all donations on your online sponsor form before you turn in cash and checks to the March of Dimes!
 

Our ambassador

 

 

Phipps Family

From Kolin and Owen’s Mom: On November 14, 2017, I got up and went to work just like any other day. Carrying twins and working full time was tough, so feeling tired was normal for me. After a few hours, my body was feeling more than just tired, my cheeks were hot and I felt dizzy. My OB sent me to the hospital to check on the twins. After tests and an ultrasound they pumped me full of liquids since Baby A’s sac was low and gave me my first surfactant shot to help develop the twin’s lungs since I was only 34 weeks along. We returned first thing the next day to be re-checked. This time Baby B’s sac was low so I had my second surfactant shot. Then, they prepared me for an emergency C-section. Soon we heard the cries of Kolin (4 lbs.) whom they rushed to the NICU. Owen (5 lbs. 6 oz.) was in a difficult position and the medical team struggled to get him out. He also was rushed to the NICU. We didn’t get to meet our sons until the next day when they were stable. Both suffered from respiratory distress and received surfactant therapy to help them breathe. This began our 21-day stay in the NICU. It was scary to walk into a room and see our babies in incubators connected to many tubes but we also felt blessed for them both to be healthy. We could only touch them through a hole on the side of the incubator. Finally, we were so happy to hold them! We saw our sons get stronger every day and after three weeks, we were able to bring our boys home. We watched them come off oxygen and be put back on it, they battled Jaundice and low white blood counts but eventually they showed how tough they really were. Then, we received a phone call from one of our NICU doctors informing us that Kolin had tested positive for Trisomy 21. As you can imagine an after-birth diagnosis of Down Syndrome came as a big shock. However, he continues to be a fighter and works hard every day to keep up with his twin brother. The boys are two years old now and have developed little personalities that melt our hearts. Kolin is loving, funny and loves to roar like a lion. Owen is mysterious and is intrigued by figuring out how things work. He also loves to climb and play chase. Their smiles are contagious and although they have been through a lot, they are both little warriors. We are grateful to March of Dimes for giving Kolin and Owen the best possible start. Encourage your family and friends to join your team and raise funds to help March of Dimes lead the fight for the health of all moms and babies. Thank you, Kris and Jauqui Phipps


Rewards

 
$100
- Early Bird! “Wear Your Why” button for $100 online by 8 weeks before your event
$100
- Official March for Babies event t-shirt
$250
- March for Babies camp mug OR bamboo lunchbox + event t-shirt
$500
- March for Babies Game Day Jersey OR Game Day Stool + event t-shirt
$500
- Personalized "Why I Walk" sign displayed on the walk route
$1,000
- Champion for Babies Medal + pullover OR bluetooth speaker + event t-shirt
$2,500
- Champion for Babies Medal + duffel OR fleece + event t-shirt
$5,000
- Champion for Babies Medal + vest OR 1/2 zip shirt + event t-shirt
$7,500
- Champion for Babies Medal + rain jacket OR 2-person seat + event t-shirt
$10,000
- Champion for Babies Medal + Beats headphones OR heat vest + event t-shirt
 

 

National partners

Publix Logo Gerber Logo HCA Healthcare Logo

Thank you to our local sponsors

Gold

Silver

Bronze