TYLER, Texas — The March for Babies/March of Dimes Coalition will host its annual walk to raise awareness for maternal and baby health this weekend in Tyler.
The walk will be held at Southside Park/ Rose Rudman Trail on Saturday. Setup runs from 7 to 8:30 a.m. and continental breakfast/snacks will be from 8:30 to 9 a.m. The City of Tyler introduction, proclamation and walk will start at 9 a.m.
March of Dimes is a nonprofit seeking to end preventable maternal health risks and death, stop preterm birth and infant death and close the health equity gap for all families. It is dedicated to funding lifesaving research, providing programs and education and advocating for vital health equity to create a world regardless of wealth, race, gender or geography.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Kappa Zeta Chapter is hosting the walk, while Christus Trinity Mother Frances, WIC, and Healthy Me, Healthy Baby are serving as sponsors. Other partners include Macedonia Baptist Church in Chandler, Top Ladies of Distinction and Top Teens of America.
According to March of Dimes, the U.S. is among the most dangerous developed nations for childbirth, especially for women and babies of color, because of rising preterm birth rates.
"At March for Babies: A Mother of a Movement we are lifting up communities, creating connections and taking action to make America a more equitable place and ensure that every mom and baby is healthy," the announcement read.
Community members, organizations, churches, schools and businesses can join and/or donate as teams or individuals at marchforbabies.org/event/tyler.