Pittsburgh-area families raised needed funds at this year’s March for Babies event

Photo above of Kristine Sorensen at the 2025 March for Babies event courtesy of KDKA-TV.

Having a baby is one of the most awe-inspiring experiences a person can have. But for many families, it doesn’t happen the way they hoped or planned. That’s why the March of Dimes raises money to fund research to give all moms and babies a healthy start.

For 22 years now, I’ve been volunteering every spring as an M.C. for March of Dimes at their walk, “March for Babies,” and every fall at their and their Signature Chefs Auction — because I know they are making a difference.

It started with helping fund the research by Dr. Jonas Salk in 1955 that developed the polio vaccine right here at the University of Pittsburgh. In fact, my own aunt and uncle had polio and lived with life-long disabilities because of it. But thanks to the vaccine, children no longer have to deal with the effects of this disease.

Today, the March of Dimes mission continues to help children because there is a maternal health crisis in the U.S., which is the most dangerous high-income nation for childbirth — especially for women and babies of color.

The March of Dimes particularly funds research related to pre-term birth, which is when babies are born too soon.

On Sunday, April 29, about 3,000 people walked along the North Shore to raise money for the March of Dimes — many of them touched personally by the work they do, with a child born premature, a child who did not survive and many other complications related to fertility and childbirth.

The March of Dimes helped fund research that led to the development of a treatment called surfactant that helps pre-term babies’ lungs develop, so they can survive. I know many children who are alive and thriving because of this medication, including the son of my colleague Meghan Schiller, who emceed the walk with me.

I am so blessed to have three children of my own who were born healthy without any serious complications in childbirth, and I know much of that is thanks to the March of Dimes work.

That’s why I’m so honored to help them raise the $800,000 they’ve already raised in the Western and Central PA region at March for Babies this year. It’s always so inspiring to see the strength and resilience of the families, who have often gone through difficult experiences, as they come together to celebrate their families, each other and the March of Dimes.

If you’d like to learn more about the resources of the March of Dimes or if you’d like to join me at any of their events, check out the website for the Western & Central PA region. I’ll see you there!