March of Dimes under way

A crowd gathered at the Russ House Wednesday for the 2009 March of Dimes Campaign kick-off.
The youngest in the room was baby Khloe Pate, daughter of Mark and Miranda Pate and sister to Kaylee, who is 4½ years old.
The Pates, of Chipley, are all too familiar with pregnancy and birth complications.
‘We know nothing of 8 pound, 8 ounce babies,” Mark Pates said.
Kaylee was born four weeks early, Khloe six weeks early, and their brother was stillborn at about six months into Miranda Pat’s pregnancy, she said.
The Pate’s experiences have compelled them to take part, through Mark’s employment with Embarq, in six years’ worth of March of Dimes walks.
This year, the Pates will serves as the ambassador family.
They represent many area families who’ve shared similar experiences. According to Katrice Davis with Chipola Healthy Start, in 2007 Jackson County reported 67 of 592 births with low or very low birth weights. Also in 2007, the county reported 90 of 592 births with preterm or less than 37 weeks gestation.
March of Dimes is dedicated to improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality through research and outreach.
Its support is made possible not only by government assistance, but largely through local-level donations and volunteer work from businesses and individuals.
The Jackson County community will have an opportunity to contribute to the cause from now through the date of the walk, Sept. 19, at Citizens Lodge Park.
Those wishing to help may do so by dropping money in purple March of Dimes buckets that will be all over town, or by forming a fund raising team.
For more information, contact Jackson County Chamber of Commerce CEO and President Art Kimbrough, who was recently appointed to the MOD State Board of Directors, or 2009 co-chair Chuck Hudson.
Or, visit http://www.marchofdimes.com/florida .