It’s one of those inconvenient truths associated with the coronavirus: COVID-19’s presence does not mean other problems normally facing society have suddenly disappeared, such as babies being born premature.
“We can’t pause pregnancies because there’s a pandemic,” area March of Dimes official Lynn Langlais said Friday. Neither can the health issues surrounding newborns and their mothers be put on hold, along with the financial nightmare sometimes confronting parents as a result.
For example, one of every 10 babies born in North Carolina is premature, defined as less than 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. A half-million are affected each year in the U.S., including those arriving too early or with birth defects.
The March of Dimes plays a big role in improving the health of those facing such problems, and one way it does this involves an annual March for Babies that has been held each spring in Surry County.
While problem pregnancies haven’t subsided because of the coronavirus, it has derailed plans for the premier fundraising event of the March of Dimes locally, which typically includes an inspirational program before everyone joins for a walk.
The usual turnout of 500 or more people at the March for Babies on a May Saturday is being prevented by restrictions on large public assemblages.
Virtual alternative
As fate would have it, the 2020 event would have marked the 50th anniversary of the annual trek, lamented Langlais, development manager for the March of Dimes based in Winston-Salem, which coordinates the Surry-Yadkin March for Babies.
Instead of the usual face-to-face mass gathering, organizers are relying on the next best thing: a virtual “march.”
Langlais explained that it is scheduled for May 15 at a time still to be determined. The march is expected to be a nationwide event shown on Facebook Live featuring celebrities and other attractions.
Meanwhile, the nuts and bolts of the March for Babies’ fundraising aspect are still playing out locally.
“Our original goal was $80,000,” Langlais said, reflecting an ambitious target before the implications of the coronavirus took hold. “We’ve had to be very flexible about that.”
At last report, this year’s campaign had generated about $15,000.
Usually, the fundraising is achieved by efforts of various teams representing businesses, families, institutions and agencies, which can include as many as 50 altogether, through bake sales, raffles and other activities. Money also is generated by individuals.
The COVID-19 situation has presented a challenge in this regard, Langlais said, since such efforts often include workplace-based fundraising efforts.
This is further undermined by a decline in the number of teams participating. “Actually, we only have 12 active teams in that area,” Langlais said of Surry and Yadkin counties. Northern Regional Hospital is among the entities fielding one.
Fundraisers can employ creative approaches, included a “charity mile” app (or computer application) in which someone can solicit donations from friends or neighbors for each mile walked in his or her neighborhood. Langlais cited the case of an 84-year-old woman who generated $1,200 in one day through this method.
Traci George, an employee of Workforce Unlimited in Mount Airy, said Friday she has relied on Facebook to solicit donations.
Ambassador families involved
Langlais said information on how the general public can make contributions or otherwise assist the campaign is available on the March of Dimes website, which can be localized to Surry County.
That includes donating in honor of local ambassador families selected for 2020, one practice that has remained constant for this year’s campaign.
Ambassador families illustrate the fact that there can be happy endings to birth-related crises, with assistance from the March of Dimes a key factor.
Two families are involved this year, Nicole and Corey Scearce of Mount Airy and Bridget Hall of Elkin.
“They’ve both lost children and then they had a successful pregnancy,” Langlais said, a daughter in each case. “I believe both girls were premature.”
The March of Dimes official indicated that this shows the human element surrounding the March of Dimes remains as spirited as ever, despite COVID-19.
“And we have some great sponsors, too,” she said of various businesses that provide support, with Phillips-Van Heusen Corp. (also known as PVH) the signature sponsor.
Langlais said the March of Dimes is hoping to still have some kind of get-together in Surry this summer, given that a show of unity is an important part of its mission.
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Source: https://www.mtairynews.com