More than 50 students ran a 5K race Sunday hosted by the University’s fledgling chapter of March of Dimes, raising money to promote research and legislation to prevent premature births and infant mortality.
The March for Babies race was the first 5K hosted by the 15-member group and brought in more than $1000 to the organization, said March of Dimes co-president Victoria Maiden, a fourth-year College student.
“We are the leading non-profit organization [promoting infant] health,” Maiden said. “Our mission is to decrease the likelihood of premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality.”
Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, the national March of Dimes organization was founded by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1938 as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, which was to fund polio research. The organization shifted its focus to other infant health issues after a polio vaccine was developed.
Although the issue may seem too unrelated to the University experience for many students to become involved in the cause, Maiden said her personal experiences inspired her to get involved. Both Maiden and her twin sister, Brittany, who is also a fourth-year College student, were born prematurely.
“We were [told] we were not going to live,” Maiden said. “My parents went through a lot financial and emotional issues.”
Although Maiden describes the situation as immensely difficult for her family, she still counts herself as among the lucky.
“My twin sister and I were supposed to have physically disabilities that would separate us from our peers,” she said. “We were really fortunate.”
In an attempt to educate students about the dangers of premature births, the club has previously hosted bake sales and posted flyers around Grounds. The organization hopes to make the 5K an annual event.
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