full site concerns Autumn Leaves link libraries powered by FreeFind

March of Dimes 2005

WalkAmerica Campaign

I would talk about the preemies in our life, but you probably have some in yours. Fact is, premature infants — babies who grow into wonderful boys and girls — are not all that rare, now.

You can thank the March of Dimes for that.

For years, they've been raising funds in widespread volunteer efforts to fund research to improve the chances of pre-term babies to survive their transition and to thrive into normal development.

These days, when "culture of life" gets bandied about until it has about as much meaning as "Tippecanoe and Tyler, too," it's worth stepping back and honoring all the big and little things that constitute our American culture and really do foster life.

That's one of the reasons that I (Mario) am taking part in this year's WalkAmerica fundraiser. On Sunday morning, May 1st, I'm going to walk around a park for a few miles with a bunch of other people in an act of support and celebration for the March of Dimes. While that's all well and good, walking around doesn't really do very much to fund further research.

Money's useful that way.

That's why I'd appreciate it if you'd sponsor me — or someone else, or even step forward and walk in your neighborhood. To make a contribution, click the link: walkamerica.org/mcavallini

Whether you act on this, act on something else, or simply have cared enough to read this ... thank you.

Update: 1 May 2005

The walk took place this morning, and I had a great time. It was raining, but rain and I have history with long walks and we're cool.

Thanks to the generosity of friends, the March of Dimes has another $225. I would publicly thank the individuals who contributed (and I've done so privately), except I'm not sure how they'd feel about having their names posted on the Web as people who hand out money.

If you're just finding out about this now, it's too late to sponsor me, but certainly not too late to make a contribution to the March of Dimes, or whatever other worthy cause might come to mind. Worthy causes can make use of money pretty much year round.