MARCH FOR BABIES: A MOTHER OF A MOVEMENT™

 
 

Western & Central PA

Raised to date
$821,079
Our goal $1,000,000
 
North Shore
100 Art Rooney Avenue , Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Date: Sunday, April 14, 2024 10:20 AM
 
Date: April 14, 2024
Event Time: 10:20 AM
Registration Time: 8:30AM
Location:
100 Art Rooney Avenue , Pittsburgh, PA 15212
North Shore

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!

Join Today
 

 
 
 
ABOUT MARCH FOR BABIES

Join the movement!
This year, March for Babies: A Mother of a Movement™ has a bold new vision. More than just a walk, it’s your entry into making a visible difference in your community now and for generations to come.
By participating in March for Babies, you’re lifting up communities for health equity, opening the door for all moms to have access to care and protecting the health of families by pushing for their rights. It’s no small feat—it’s a mother of a movement!
Start or join an existing team today, create an online fundraising page and let everyone know that you’re helping to make America a more equitable place and ensure that every mom and baby is healthy.

FAMILY CUP CHALLENGErecognition icon

Calling all Family Teams to join us in the 2024 March for Babies: A Mother of a MovementTM Family Cup Challenge!

The Family Cup Challenge unites Family Teams in their desire to support March of Dimes. Participating Family Teams works together to inspire and engage others in the movement and collectively raise funds to fight for the health of all moms and babies; while competiting against each other to earn the title of the Western & Central PA March for Babies Family Cup Challenge Champion! The challenge will run until Thursday, April 11 at 11:59pm.  All online and offline donations must be entered by the challenge end date and time. 

The winner will be recognized at the Western & Central PA March for Babies event along with the top 5 highest raising teams, and will receive a traveling trophy. Special reconition will be given to teams that raise $25,000 and over. 

Join us today
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ABOUT THE LOCAL EVENT

The March for Babies community bands together to fight for the health of all moms and babies. When you March for Babies, you make a statement about the world you want to live in - one in which healthy moms and strong babies are a priority for us all. Join more than 3,000 people on Sunday, April 14, 2024 at the Western and Central PA March for Babies, presented by UPMC and UPMC Health Plan, Highmark Wholecare and AHN. Encourage your friends and family to join your team. Being part of a team is a way to celebrate, honor or remember babies with others who care. Activities open at 8:30am and Opening Ceremonies will begin at 10:00am. The Walk will begin immediately after the Opening Ceremonies.  

Join the fight for the health of all moms and babies by signing up today.

For more information please contact Meghan Wallace at [email protected]  

Proudly Sponsored By:
 

 

EXPERIENCE PROGRESS* $821,079 RAISED (As of Friday, Apr 19, 2024)

Raised: $821,079

 
Top fundraisers
 
1
John Bricker
$36,686
2
Hanah Goodman
$10,864
3
William Blose
$10,171
4
Clara Wineinger
$8,274
5
Melissa Sherrange
$8,146
Top family teams
 
1
The Bricker Braves
$36,686
2
Jackson Express
$16,283
3
Team Avett
$11,848
4
Remi Lou's Crew
$10,523
5
Andrew's Crew
$7,787
Company, School & Org
 
1
US STEEL
$53,023
2
Highmark Wholecare
$33,015
3
KPMG - PA - PGH
$12,672
4
ERNST & YOUNG - PA
$11,837
5
UPMC HEALTH PLAN
$10,215
 
 
*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!
 

2024 March for Babies Ambassador Family

 

 

The DeMichelis Family

As first-time parents Marissa and Brandon DeMichelis were excited and anxious about the birth of their son due September 20, 2011. The DeMichelis family rushed to the hospital where they were then life-flighted to another hospital where little Hunter was born by an emergency C-Section on June 4, 2011 at 24 weeks 5 days, weighing 1 pound, 10 ounces and 12 inches long. Their journey in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), began immediately following Hunter’s birth. Hunter was having trouble breathing and wasn’t expected to make it through the night. Like so many families, Marissa and Brandon were left with questions, concerns, worry, and about the unknown of the NICU and their son’s future. Hunter faced multiple challenges during his NICU journey. Marissa was able to hold Hunter for the first time at 7 days old. At 10 days old with a perforated stomach, he became septic. Hunter immediately had to have surgery to remove half of his stomach. Doctors needed to find a way to help Hunter start feeding again. Hunter also had Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) during his time in the NICU. Hunter had to endure 10 surgeries within 8 weeks. Surgeries included Laser Eye Surgery, and Patent Ductus Arteriosus Ligation. After 5 months in the NICU, Hunter was finally able to go home. Premature babies require specialized care to help them thrive. March of Dimes funded the research on surfactant therapy and nitric oxide, two applications that help underdeveloped lungs of preterm babies to breathe easier. Hunter was one of those babies! Since the development of these two therapies, two-thirds of the babies who would have died from respiratory distress syndrome now survive their early birth. Hunter is now a happy 12 year old. Although he has endured some challenges due to being born premature such as Auditory Neuropathy where he has to wear hearing aids & ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity) where he has to wear glasses, that doesn’t stop him from enjoying life. Hunter enjoys dancing, singing, camping with family, riding his quad and helping raise awareness for the March of Dimes. Hunter is like the 1 in 10 babies in the U.S. that are born too soon. Preterm birth is the leading cause of newborn death, and babies who survive an early birth may face long-term health challenges. Marissa and Brandon know the significant role March of Dimes plays in raising awareness and funds to find solutions to end preventable preterm births and death. The DeMichelis family hope the community they found in March of Dimes, can provide comfort and promise to other families going through a similar journey.

 

NATIONAL PARTNERS

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Thank you to our local sponsors

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