By Adam Young

Staff Writer

MIDDLESBORO — Community members, public officials, and local business associates gathered at the Middlesboro Mall on Thursday for the 2010 March of Dimes Kick Off Celebration.

The Bell County community came together in support of the March of Dimes organization and its quest to help prevent premature births, birth defects, and infant deaths.

According to the March of Dimes website, premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death and many lifelong disabilities.

WANO radio personality Brian O’Brien hosted this year’s kick-off celebration, and spoke of it’s importance.

“There is something special about the March of Dimes,” said O’Brien. “When you walk with the March of Dimes, you give hope to half-a-million babies born too soon each year.”

He said that the majority of the money raised at this year’s event will go to community programs to “help mothers have healthy, full-term pregnancies.”

O’Brien also said that the charitable monies will go to fund the research needed “to help find answers to the problems that threaten our babies.”

He explained to those in attendance that the March of Dimes organization was founded in 1970.

“And since that time, the March of Dimes has raised nearly $1.8 billion to benefit all babies,” claimed O’Brien. He went on to say that the charitable organization spends 76 cents of every dollar donated to support research and programs that help babies begin healthy lives.

Holly Gambrel, the daughter of Tom and Amy Gambrel, is the 2010 Bell County March of Dimes Ambassador. Holly was born prematurely, and was diagnosed with infant respiratory distress syndrome — which is the number one killer of premature infants.

Tom Gambrel spoke about the effects of his daughter’s conditions in terms of family life.

“We realized that it was going to change the dynamics of our family, but what we didn’t realize was how much risk there was,” said Gambrel. “We didn’t know how much the complications were going to change us.”

Gambrel then said that the word “helpless” best described going through the birth of a premature infant.

“It’s an overwhelming feeling,” said Gambrel. “A premature infant leaves you almost helpless, because you have to rely on others.”

Gambrel said that Holly was in the hospital for several weeks after her birth with no signs of improving. He did, however, state that she had “a lot of fight in her.”

Gambrel ended the ceremony by thanking everyone involved with the March of Dimes.

“I know that I am humbled standing up here,” declared Gambrel. “This is a big crowd to show up after you worked all day, and I really appreciate you — from my family to yours.”

March of Dimes Community Director Michelle Wesley also spoke to the crowd on Thursday.

“I love seeing our past ambassadors here,” said Wesley. “It’s heartwarming for me to see the kids grow up. I don’t have any of my own, so I get to watch yours grow up. I appreciate you all being here.”

Wesley then said that March of Dimes organization is important to every community because it involves the health of all children. She claimed that one out of every eight babies in the United States is born prematurely; and in the state of Kentucky, one out of every seven babies is born prematurely.

Wesley added that there is a higher rate of birth defects amongst premature children — which adds to infant death totals — and these children are highly susceptible to lung and eye issues, as well as learning disabilities later in life.

Wesley then spoke about the success of the evening.

“All things considered, I think it went really well,” stated Wesley. “It’s just nice to see the kids and how they have developed over the years. For the most part, our past ambassadors are thriving, so I am thrilled.”

Wesley concluded by stating that she loved her job.

“I get to work with the finest people in every community that I am in, because they genuinely care about kids,” Wesley asserted. “They want to help, and they want to do something good. If you have those types of people around you, you can’t beat it. It truly is a joy.”

The March for Babies has been scheduled for Sunday, April 18 at the Middlesboro Mall. Event registration will begin at 1 p.m., and the actual walk will start around 2 p.m. The goal for this year is $29,801, and the walking distance is four miles.

For more information, contact Michelle Wesley by phone at (877)-424-2144, or by e-mail at mwesley@marchofdimes.com.

Adam Young is a Staff Writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. He can be contacted by e-mail at ayoung@middlesborodailynews.com.