Although Muncie residents have participated in the March of Dimes' WalkAmerica for 30 years, the Ball State University community has shown little support, senior Jennifer Meyer said. She is encouraging students to support the local walk, which honors families and victims affected by birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality, she said.
She thinks the reason for students' lack of involvement is because they don't know about the organization or its mission, Meyer said. Meyer has given presentations and sent e-mails to several student organizations encouraging them to form teams, she said.
Muncie is encouraging individuals and groups to participate in a 4-mile walk at 11 a.m. Saturday on the Cardinal Greenway. Ashley Tomes, community director of March of Dimes' Indianapolis office, said most groups or individuals donate the money they have raised for the organization on the day of the walk. Indiana residents will participate in 47 walks planned through the first weekend in May.
More than 75 percent of the money raised will pay for research to discover the causes of premature birth and birth defects, according to the WalkAmerica Web site. The money will also support community organizations that want to help improve the health of babies and educate pregnant women about getting good prenatal care.
March of Dimes also provides classes to help women stop smoking and comfort to families with babies in neonatal intensive care units, according to the WalkAmerica Web site.
Tomes said she expects between 200 and 250 people to participate this year, including Ball State students. Three teams have signed up that stated on the registration form that they are from Ball State, she said. Tomes is excited Ball State students are walking this year because the university is such a great part of the Muncie community, she said.
Sophomore Lindsay Rice, who is walking with a team from Studebaker West Complex, said she is walking because her younger sister was born prematurely, and March of Dimes paid for research that helped her sister survive.
"I feel like I'm giving back to the people who helped my sister," Rice said.
Meyer said helping the March of Dimes is important to her because she has always been interested in the causes of birth defects, infant mortality and premature births. The walk is for a good cause, she said, and the issues can affect students directly or indirectly.
Teams will meet at 700 E. Wysor St. for registration between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Tomes said she suggests people register online or by phone before the walk. To register, visit walkamerica.org or call 1-800-BIG-WALK. However, if an individual or team doesn't register before, arrive early to register.
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