$30K to fight birth defects

By BETH LAKEY

Staff Writer

A dedicated few turned out Saturday to take the walk that saves the lives of innocent babies.

With the threat of rain looming overhead, some Pike County men, women and children braved the elements to participate in the March of Dimes WalkAmerica.

The money counted Saturday added up to $30,000.

Dianne Smith, chairwoman of the local walk, said the steps taken Saturday will help fund research that will, hopefully, one day result in a cure for the many birth defects that afflict babies.

"We’re closer to the day that no baby born is so small that it fits in the palm of your hand," Smith told the walkers she calls "heroes."

Of every dollar raised, 75 cents goes to fund research of birth defects.

Some of that money raised last year came right back to Pike County in the form of a March of Dimes grant presented to the Pike County Health Department. The grant, given to the health department for the second year in a row, was for the purpose of educating the public on sexually transmitted diseases.

That money raised through WalkAmerica may help Little Miss Goshen 2001 Liberty Kilpatrick save her patients.

"I want to be a baby doctor because I don’t want the babies to be sick," Kilpatrick told those at the walk.

Top Walkers, this year, were Dianne Smith, Ruth Henderson and Diana Lee.

The number one team per capita was Charles Henderson Child Health Center, which also was the second place team.

Pike Manor Health Care Center was the top fund-raising team and Troy Bank and Trust placed third.

Regions Bank was recognized as being in the $2,500 Club; Sikorsky Support Services Inc. in the $1,500 Club; SouthTrust, Goshen Elementary School and Edge Regional Medical Center were named to the $1,000 Club. The $500 Club included Collegedale Christian School, the Pike County Health Department, Charles Henderson Middle School, Macedonia Baptist Church, Crowe’s Chicken and Troy United Women’s League.

Smith expressed appreciation to all those who raised money with little lives in mind.