2,000 walk in annual March of Dimes benefit

10:06 a.m., April 28, 2004--The weather cooperated Sunday, April 25, when more than 200 UD students, faculty and staff joined approximately 1,800 other walkers in the annual March of Dimes WalkAmerica benefit.

Skies were overcast and threatening at the start of the walk, which got under way at the Delaware Field House and looped through Newark. But, the first raindrops didn’t hit until right around the time that the last participants were finishing. The event raises funds for research and programs to help prevent or treat premature birth and birth defects.

“The rain came right on schedule,” Bonnie Robinson, an executive secretary in administrative services who was participating in WalkAmerica for the first time, said. “I enjoyed the walk, especially crossing the finish line to the cheers and applause of the Delaware Cheerleading team,” she said. “That was a nice touch.”

In addition to the cheerleaders, other student groups who volunteered their time included the Business Student Association, whose members staffed a “lollipop tree” children’s activity, and the Spirit Ambassadors, who painted faces.

As an in-kind sponsor, the University donates security, staging, tents, electricity and other services to the walk. For the past four years, Margot Hsu Carroll has helped to coordinate UD involvement in the walk. Recently, the walk has had special meaning for Carroll, who is assistant to the executive vice president.

Two years ago, her twin sons, Aidan and Michael, were born six and a half weeks premature and spent 11 days in the neonatal intensive care unit. They came home with heart monitors, which went off frequently in those first days at home, Carroll said.

Fortunately, Carroll’s sons are now active, healthy toddlers. But, her experience has made her even more determined to help the March of Dimes fight premature birth, which is the leading cause of infant mortality.

“We always get great participation from UD students, but I was pleased to see more of our employees walking this year,” Carroll said. “It was gratifying to see the UD team T-shirts on so many walkers.”

The UD team shirt also caught the eye of the walk’s organizers, who gave it a third-place award for its design. The shirt features YoUDee and Baby Blue, with the message: “Use your feet to give premature babies a hand!” It was designed by Don McElroy in the Creative Services Group of the Office of Public Relations.

Pledge amounts have not yet been compiled, but Carroll said this year’s walk fundraising goal was $226,000.

Article by Margo McDonough
Photos by Duane Perry

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