March for Babies
Baton Rouge
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Pennington Biomedical Research Center
6400 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Date: Saturday, May 02, 2026 9:00 AM
6400 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Date: Saturday, May 02, 2026 9:00 AM
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.
Ambassador Family
The McKnight Family
The McKnight Family
Introducing our 2026 March for Babies Ambassador Family, the McKnights! We are blessed to have Jennifer and Larry McKnight serve as our ambassadors this year and lead our walkers on event day. Jennifer is a high school biology teacher, and Larry works for NuCor Steel. They were blessed with identical twin girls, Charlotte and Grace, who were born at 24 weeks 3 days gestation after mom experienced PPROM at 23 weeks. Charlotte was born weighing 1 lb. 3.8 ounces, and Grace weighed in at 1 lb 2 oz and was only 11 inches long. Although tiny, they were mighty and fought to breathe and gain weight. Charlotte and Grace received surfactant therapy, which was developed as a result of the March of Dimes’ research. The girls were intubated for extended periods before coming off the ventilator at 29 1/2 weeks for Charlotte and 34 weeks for Grace. Both had umbilical lines to get them meds, nutrients, etc., and after that, PICC lines for weeks. Charlotte had kidney problems early on, including the finding of kidney stones and a relatively benign PDA that resolved on its own, but otherwise gained weight like a champ and went home after 93 days in the NICU. Grace struggled more to gain weight and to come off the ventilator with two failed extubations. She had fortified feedings and additional supplements to help her gain weight. Grace went home after 115 days but was rushed back the next day with breathing complications. She tested positive for rhinovirus and went back on oxygen, staying an additional 3 weeks in the NICU before coming home on oxygen support. Meanwhile, Charlotte was doing well at home, gaining and growing slowly but surely. Both girls were diagnosed with ROP (retinopathy of prematurity) and received injections in their eyes to stop the progression. With weekly and biweekly ophthalmology appointments, it was determined that the girls both needed laser surgery to stop the ROP. At 8 months old, both girls underwent anesthesia and laser surgery on their eyes, which so far has been deemed a success. They will likely need glasses soon to help with their nearsightedness. Grace continues to see a pediatric dietitian to help her gain weight, as she trails behind her sister. Both girls have also been part of the Early Steps program and have weekly therapy sessions to improve gross and fine motor skills, such as standing, sitting, crawling, and playing. In November, Charlotte and Grace turned one year old and celebrated a whole year of miracles. They are so thankful for the NICU doctors, nurses, RTs, and staff at Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, LA, for their exceptional care and lifelong friendships made.
You can support the McKnight Family by going to www.marchforbabies.org/team/mightylittlemcknights .
Thank you to our local sponsors