The Bryan County March of Dimes, March for babies kicked off in Durant Thursday Sept. 6. The annual kick-off luncheon was held at the John Massey Leadership Center in the First United Bank.

A 2.3 mile walk will be held on October 27. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. Photos and entertainment begins at 9 a.m. and the walk starts at 10 a.m.

The walk will begin at the Medical Center of Southeastern Oklahoma, 1400 University Blvd. in Durant.

For every dollar collected by the walk, 77 cents will go to support programs and research concerning preterm births.

The goal is to help mothers have full term babies and provide information to those who have preterm babies.

The theme for this year’s March of Dimes is “Having Passion for the Mission, Saving Babies Together.” Skylar Logan of Silo was chosen as the Child ambassador for Durant’s walk this year.

Skylar is a freshman at Silo schools. She was born Sept. 23 1997, only 27 weeks into the pregnancy. A full term pregnancy lasts 39 to 41 weeks.

“Scared is not the word I would use” said Skylar’s father. He said he and Skylar’s mother were terrified when she was born preterm.

The Logan’s said that because the digestive system is the last thing to develop before birth, Skylar’s did not have time to develop fully before she was born.

Skylar was two pounds and nine ounces when she was born. The baby spent 72 days in ICU before going home weighing five pounds.

Skylar’s mother said that they while Skylar was in ICU they family saw many babies going home on machines such as heart monitors.

She said she felt lucky that when they brought Skylar home she did not have to have any machines. The family said they also felt lucky that although many preterm babies are slow in developing, Skylar hit all of her milestones with ease.

Arbuckle division director Nancy Miller also told her story at the luncheon. She said that she delivered her son early at her doctor’s request.

Miller said that her son suffered from apnea, obesity and foot problems. All of which she learned later may have been caused by his preterm birth.

Miller urged mothers to carry babies to full term if possible and not to give birth early for convenience.

The March of Dimes: March for Babies will be hosting a workshop on Tuesday Oct. 2 in the First United Bank training Center.

This workshop will be for any team or individual participating in the march. The workshop will focus on fundraising methods.

It will be designed to aid in any issues participants are having raising money and also serve as a check in on how the fundraising is progressing.

On Tuesday Oct. 23, the program will host a Bank Day also at the First United Training Center. This event will be to collect all funds raised for the March of Dimes.

To participate in the event citizens can contact Nancy Miller at (580) 277-2973. Participant registrations will be accepted until Oct. 21.