They're the babies whom no one ever talks about.
Marcia McGinnis, however, wants to make sure they're the babies whom no one ever forgets.
McGinnis is the co-founder of SHARE Atlanta, which was formed in 1984 to help families deal with the loss of babies who are born too early or who die shortly after birth.
"We want people to realize that their babies were real and very, very special," said McGinnis, who lost two daughters, Catherine and Elizabeth, when they were born prematurely and a son, Seth, who died of anencephaly two days after his birth.
McGinnis, who has two healthy sons, will be among an expected 15,000 people to turn out Saturday for March for Babies events at more than 30 locations throughout the state. The annual walks are the biggest fundraiser for the March of Dimes, raising $5 million last year in Georgia.
In Georgia, more than 400 babies in an average week are born too early -- before their lungs, brains or other vital organs are fully developed -- or sick, according to the March of Dimes. On an average day in the United States, more than 1,490 babies are born preterm. More babies die of premature birth than from any other cause, according to the organization.
"Everyone hopes and expects to have a healthy outcome with their pregnancy. Unfortunately that does not always happen," said Laura Johnson, director of communications for the Georgia chapter of the March of Dimes. "Babies don't ask to be here, and certainly when you lose them it's devastating. We want to make sure families channel their grief into something with purpose."
That's why McGinnis is such a huge supporter of March for Babies.
Losing a baby, even if you never held it in your arms, can be devastating to a family, she said. People think because the baby dies before it's born, that parents can just "get over it," she said. That's a mistake. The baby "is still a part of you," she said.
SHARE members make blankets for parents who have lost babies as a way to acknowledge "this baby was real." They also offer grief support to families.
It's not always known why babies are born preterm. Women who have hypertension and diabetes are at higher risk to have preterm babies or babies with health problems, said Dr. William Sexson, a neonatologist and professor of pediatrics at Emory University's School of Medicine.
March for Babies supports research and educational programs aimed at helping women have healthy babies.
The March of Dimes will also hold its 27th annual Dining Out fundraising event on May 13. People can buy a table of 10 for the evening for a three-course meal and wine pairings at some of the top 40 restaurants in the city. Prices range from $1,000 to $1,500, depending on the restaurant.
Event preview
March for Babies
Walks will be held Saturday at four locations in metro Atlanta.
Downtown -- Georgia World Congress Center's International Plaza. Registration beings at 7:30 a.m. Walk begins at 9 a.m.
North Fulton County -- Roswell Municipal Complex, 38 Hill St. in Roswell. Registration begins at 9 a.m. Walk begins at 10 a.m.
Gwinnett County -- Suwanee Town Center Park, 370 Buford Highway, Suwanee. Registration begins at 9 a.m. Walk starts at 10 a.m.
West Metro -- Marietta Middle School, 121 Winn St., Marietta. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Walk beings at 10 a.m.
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