The McClarin family of Bowie understands first hand what it can mean if a baby is born too soon. When Kamryn was born 12 weeks early, family and doctors did not know if she would live. Kamryn survived and although small for her age, she is a healthy, thriving nine month old.

Parents Kamal and Kim McClarin are grateful for the role March of Dimes research played in helping Kamryn get this far, so they are pleased to serve as the 2013 March of Dimes Southern Maryland Ambassador Family. They will share their story with the public to help the March of Dimes raise awareness and funds to help babies get a healthy start in life.  Kamal shared their journey of prematurity with Kamryn on this Comcast interview http://comcastcreative.com/video/CHR120309-6McClarin.wmv.

 “No parent should have to experience the life-changing consequences that can result from having a baby born too soon,” said Kim McClarin. “That’s why we’re honored to have this opportunity to help the March of Dimes improve the health of all babies.”

The McClarins first duties are to attend March for Babies activities, the March of Dimes premier fundraising walk that benefits all babies — those born healthy as well as those who need help to survive and thrive.  The Southern Maryland March for Babies event will take place at 9 a.m. Sunday, May 5 at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf. Walkers and donors can visit marchforbabies.org or call 1-800-525-9255 to sign up as an individual, start a corporate, family or friends team, or donate to help babies be born healthy.

Premature birth touches over half a million babies and their families every year including 10,036 infants in Maryland. Babies born too soon are more likely to die or have disabilities. The March of Dimes is committed to reducing this toll by funding research to find the answers to premature birth and providing comfort and information to families.

In southern Maryland, the March of Dimes helps moms and babies through research, advocacy and education.  The March of Dimes also awards grants to local organizations. For example, in 2007, St. Mary’s County Health Department was awarded a $13,000 grant for home visitation and educational outreach using March of Dimes materials and programs for prenatal care, premature labor and smoking cessation.

This year, the March of Dimes is celebrating its 75th anniversary. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt established the Foundation in 1938 to organize and fund efforts to develop a polio vaccine. Having defeated the polio in 1955, the March of Dimes turned its attention to improving the health of mothers, infants and children by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

March for Babies is sponsored nationally by the March of Dimes number one corporate su