This year is the tenth anniversary of March for Babies Family Teams. We are so honored to have an opportunity for families to Walk as a team, Fundraise as a team, as well as Honor the lives and memories of their children. The Dallas Division feels especially honored to have teams who have walked with us even before family teams were created.
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| Darin's Family and Friends March for Babies 2013 |
Valarie Delgado and her team, Darin's Family and Friends, are celebrating their twelth year walking at March for Babies. The Delgado's first learned about March of Dimes from a folder received while in the NICU. Darrin, Frankie and Valarie Delgado's son, was born in April and the walk was the same month. Their team was not prepared to walk at that time. They made a promise however, that they would honor their son's memory by walking the very next year. Along with thirty other family and friends, they registered that year as individual walkers and celbrated the memory of Darin. "Our first year, my mother was 70 years old, the walk was 11 miles, and we had no idea what to expect. Every mile was an opportunity to honor his memory." Darin's Family & Friends" have faithfully walked every year, no matter the weather or the distance they were away from the event.
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| Frankie Delgado and his Unit Running at the same time as "Darin's Family & Friends" March for Babies 2009 |
Marine, Frankie Delgado, was deployed to Afghanistan before March for Babies in 2009. He refused to let that keep him from participating. Frankie and his unit ran at the same time "Darrin's Family and Friends" were completing the walk in Dallas, TX. This meant so much to his wife Valerie, especially that year as she was pregnant with twins.
In 2010 her twins were able to honor their older brother's memory by joining the walk themselves and are excited to walk again this year.
The team meets by the Preemie Pit and has a Pep Rally before the walk at March for Babies. "We do not get to put Christmas presents under the tree for Darin every year, or blow out candles on his birthday. March for Babies is our opportunity to make up for those missed moments. All of my family and friends commit to the walk and use this as their opportunity to celebrate Darin with us, and we are greatful." Valarie said that they never let ANYTHING keep them from walking. Their team feels if they can help save even one baby through their efforts, than their sacrifice matters.
Thank you Darin's Family and Friends for your allowing us to celebrate with you every year. If you and your family team have a story to share, please post in the comments.
Keep Walking, Keep Fighting, Keep Honoring the lives and memories of babies everywhere.
Valarie, Frank, and Darrin's Family & Friends have committed to continue walking.
Natalie N. Lucas
nlucas@marchofdimes.com
972-232-1376
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