Saving babies step by step

Brooklyn Cantrell

WalkAmerica event this Saturday

By Denise Etheridge

White County News

White County WalkAmerica 2007 organizers want to prevent birth defects, infant mortality and premature birth, one step at a time.

White County WalkAmerica 2007 begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 13 at the White County Chamber of Commerce parking lot. Volunteers and their families can enjoy a kids corner, face art, games, a bounce house, music and a pizza lunch provided by Papa's Pizza To Go the day of the event.

“Last year White County raised an impressive $28,581 to help find the causes of premature birth,” said Marie Hood, 2007 WalkAmerica co-chairperson. “Our goal this year is to reach $30,000.”

The March of Dimes conducts top-level research into causes and preventions of premature birth and birth defects.

The March of Dimes also provides information and emotional support to families who have had a premature or sick baby who is being treated in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

WalkAmerica organizers say money raised by local volunteers helps support Habersham County Medical Center and Northeast Georgia Medical Center, the two area hospitals that serve White County residents.

WalkAmerica organizers say that nearly every family either has experienced, or knows someone who has experienced, premature birth, the loss of a child or the birth of a child with birth defects.

The Cantrell family of Cleveland, this year's local March of Dimes ambassador family, experienced both the premature birth of a child and the birth of a child with a birth defect.

Brook Cantrell was born six weeks early and underwent surgery immediately after birth because she had gastroschisis; meaning she was born with her intestines outside of her body.

Brook's aunt, Audrey Cantrell of Sautee, said her niece's birth defect was found during an ultrasound before she was born.

Brook, her older brother Devin Cantrell and their aunt will be present at the WalkAmerica event. Brook is the daughter of Michael and Davida Cantrell.

For more information about WalkAmerica, or to join the local event visit walkamerica.org or call Jana Dover at 678-546-0023.