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NEWS
Rain can't dampen March for Babies
HUNTINGTON -- Nothing could keep hundreds of people from circling Ritter Park on Saturday morning. The cause was just too great.
Saturday marked the annual March of Dimes' March for Babies. Most of the money, estimated at more than $28,000, will stay local, helping families with premature babies, pregnant mothers and to continue to educate doctors and nurses.
Community director for the West Virginia Chapter of March of Dimes Terry Eller said more than 40 teams signed up, but all participate for different reasons.
"There's a lot of teams that have family members that the March of Dimes has touched a child," Eller said. "And there are people that walk for healthy babies who have been fortunate not to have needed the (neonatal intensive care unit)."
For the Johnsons, walking Saturday means raising money for research that could save a life. Their daughter, Ruby, was born at 21 weeks and lived just 12 minutes.
"We had no indication," Kacey Johnson said. "I just went into labor early. We did everything we could."
Had Ruby lasted 17 more days, her chances for survival would have increased immensely at 24 weeks. But Kacey Johnson said medical care has become so advanced that within a few years 24 weeks could turn into 22 weeks, and more babies can have a chance at life.
"It means everything (for us to participate)," she said. "It's a life."
The couple started trying to get pregnant again within months of their loss, and six months ago, Lincoln was born. They said they want him to know about his sister and why it's important to support charities such as the March of Dimes.
"We want him to know he has a big sister," Kacey Johnson said. "Without her being born early, he wouldn't be here."
"We'll continue to support this walk the rest of our lives in her honor," Ben Johnson added.
