GRADUATED FROM CAL POLY POMONA
THIS WEEK.
CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE IN
THE CLASS OF 2024.
>>> MEANTIME, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE
WALKED IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR MOTHERS
AND FOR BABIES IN NEED.
NBC 4’S ANNETTE TELLS US HOW
THIS NONPROFIT MARCH OF DIMES IS
HELPING PEOPLE ALL ACROSS
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
>> 3, 2, 1!
>> Reporter: AT THE STARTING
LINE IN DOWNTOWN L.A.’S GRAND
PARK, HUNDREDS OF SOUTHLAND
RESIDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE
ANNUAL MARCH FOR BABIES.
>> WE’RE FUNDRAISING $285,000
FOR MOM AND BABIES AND TODAY ARE
JUST OVER $150,000 WITH A GOAL
TO REACH THAT BY JUNE 30th.
>> Reporter: THE NEWS ANCHOR AND
OUR VERY OWN CAROLYN JOHNSON ARE
TAKING THE STAGE THIS MORNING
FOR A CAUSE THAT’S NEAR AND DEAR
TO THEM AS WOMEN AND MOTHERS.
>> I HAD SO MANY CLOSE FRIENDS
WHO REALLY STRUGGLED WITH
INFERTILITY, WITH MISCARRIAGE,
WITH LOSING A BABY SHORTLY AFTER
BIRTH.
SO IT’S A CAUSE THAT I THINK IS
SO IMPORTANT TO EVERYONE OUT
HERE.
IT CERTAINLY RESONATES WITH ME
AS A MOM.
>> Reporter: THE NONPROFIT MARCH
OF DIMES USING EVERY DONATION TO
PROMOTE THEIR MISSION FOR
HEALTHY MOMS AND STRONG BABIES
AS THEY FIGHT TO END PRETERM BIRTH.
>> THE UNITED STATES IS THE
WORST DEVELOPED NATION TO GIVE
BIRTH IN OR BE PREGNANT.
WE GOT A C PLUS.
9.6 OF OUR BABY ARE BORN
PRETERM, BETWEEN 37 WEEKS.
>> WE ARE HERE FOR MELANIE AND
CAMILLA.
THEY ARE THE REASON WE WALK.
MELANIE IS A FORMER 27-WEAKER.
>> Reporter: FOR THE PAST TEN
YEARS, THE MADRID FAMILY HAS
BEEN PARTICIPATING IN THIS
SPECIAL EVENT IN ONLY HAD OF
THEIR NOT ONE BUT TWO PREEMIES
WHO ARE NOW THRIVING.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU
GROW UP IN.
>> A GYMNAST.
>> Reporter: SHE SAID MARCH OF
DIMES PLAYED A CRITICAL ROLE
WHILE HER CHILDREN WERE
RECOVERING IN THE NICU.
COUNTLESS FAMILIES CONTINUE TO
FACE THE SAME HEART ACHE AND
CHALLENGES.
>> I REMEMBER SEEING THE OLDER
KIDS.
THEY MADE IT.
THEY DID IT.
THEY’RE HEALTHY.
THEY’RE STRONG.
SO I THINK BRINGING MY GIRLS
NOW, IT GIVES HOPE FOR THE
FAMILIES JUST STARTING THEIR
JOURNEYS.
>> Reporter: AFTER ALL, IT DOES