WHAT CHEER —
Turning a devastating moment and turning it into a time of support, encouragement and celebration is what the Walk for the Future is all about.
The 13th annual Iowa SIDS Foundation Walk for the Future will be held on Aug. 25 at the Keokuk County Fairgrounds in What Cheer. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., and the walk will begin at 9 a.m.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexpected and unexplained death of an otherwise healthy infant up to 1 year old. The purpose of the Walk for the Future is to raise awareness of SIDS and raise funds for the Iowa SIDS Foundation.
The walk in What Cheer is one of seven being held in different regions across the state. It will also feature a raffle, door prizes, face painting and refreshments.
Organizer Robin Wright lost a baby to SIDS 32 years ago and has a cousin who lost a grandchild. The family has walked in the Des Moines walk, the Keswick event and past walks in What Cheer.
She says there hasn’t been one in What Cheer for several years, so when the opportunity opened up to hold one, she took on the responsibility.
“You never get over (losing a child), but you just learn to handle it better,” she said. “Walking brings it back a little, but coordinating it brings it back a lot more. You’re so involved in everything.”
The walk will begin with a balloon release in memory of children who have died from SIDS. Walkers can then circle the fairground track as many times as they would like.
“It’s not timed. It’s a family-oriented event, more of a gathering,” Wright said. “It’s a time for everybody to get together and celebrate what we have.”
While she now lives in Bloomfield, Wright still has family in What Cheer. Many of her family and friends, plus groups from Sigourney and other surrounding communities have already pre-registered for the walk.
Those interested in walking can register in advance or the day of the event.
Walkers’ registration fees are just one of the ways the Iowa SIDS Foundation raises its funds. Some area residents who are unable to walk give direct donation to the event. And some walkers choose to take pledges for their own walking.
All proceeds from the annual walks go to the day-to-day operations of the organization — staff, support materials, training, memorials, safe sleep presentations and research donations.
According to the Iowa SIDS Foundation, SIDS is the leading cause of death of babies from 1 month to 1 year of age. Every year, approximately 4,500 babies die suddenly and unexpectedly in the United States. Of these, about 2,300 are diagnosed as SIDS.
For your information
To register, request registration forms or receive additional information, visit www.iowasids.org or call 866-480-4741.
Local News
August 15, 2012
What Cheer the newest site for walking and fundraising to fight SIDS
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