Page 6 - MidWeek - April 28, 2021

6 MIDWEEK APRIL 28, 2021
PROOF POSITIVE
A Mother Of A Movement
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T he pandemic canceled a lot of things, but it did not cancel moms from having babies, mothers from
care, to more research on the COVID-19 vaccine to ensure it is safe for pregnant and lactating women, to putting an end to moms and babies dying from preventable pregnancy related deaths. That is why hon- orary walk chairs Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Hawai‘i Island Mayor Mitch Roth and Maui Mayor Mike Victorino have teamed up with March for Babies chair Howard Lee and co-chair Dave Kennedy to support March of Dimes’ an- nual fundraising walk March for Babies: A Mother of A Movement.
On O‘ahu, families can visit two in-per- son walk stations: one at Kapi‘olani Park 8 a.m.-4 p.m. May 15, and a second at Ka Makana Ali‘i 11 a.m.-6 p.m. May 14-15.
having preterm babies, nor the stress on a family that is having a preterm baby. Even before the pandemic, one woman died ev- ery 12 hours from pregnancy-related caus- es, and 1 in 10 babies in Hawai‘i is born too soon, annually. Additionally, more than 50,000 women experience life-threat- ening complications as a result of preg- nancy and childbirth. Chronic inequities and unequal access to quality health care have a negative impact on these rates. Last year, Hawai‘i received a D+ in March of Dimes’ report card for preterm birth rates, infant deaths, state efforts on Medicaid expansion and extension, health insurance status, and inadequate prenatal care.
The 51st annual March for Babies walk will be held on Saturday, May 15, on O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i and the Big Island — and all participants are encouraged to walk 3 miles in their neighborhoods, fa- vorite parks or beaches to support physical and mental wellness, provide a safe activi- ty for their families and build community engagement.
Lee and Kennedy jointly stated, “As fathers, uncles and leaders in our commu- nity, we are personally invested and look forward to celebrating March of Dimes 83-year legacy of impact for all moms and families. By joining in the March for Babies: A Mother of a Movement, you’re taking action and ensuring March of Dimes can continue the vital research, pro- grams — such as the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Support Program at Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children — and advocacy that allow all babies, across our state, to get the best possible start.”
In this time of coronavirus, moms and babies need support more than ever — from advocating for increased access to
Visit marchforbabies.org to sign up to walk, join a team or donate. For more information, call 808-391-1272 or email pfetui@marchofdimes.org.
By Tricia Fetui, executive director, donor development, March of Dimes Hawai‘i market