Last May, Sherri Linscott, who was 61/2 months pregnant, went into labor. Despite heroic attempts to stop the contractions, Elyssia Jean Smith was born 10 weeks early and weighing only 3 pounds and 2 ounces.

Sherri and Jamie, the baby’s father, watched helplessly as the nurses and doctors frantically prepared their tiny daughter for the trip from Penobscot Valley Hospital in Lincoln to the Neonatal Unit at Eastern Maine Medical Center.

In Aroostook County, a group of health care professionals learned about the importance of folic acid as a preventative to some birth defects. It’s a subject that Rachel Larrabee, of Knox, knows all too well. At a recent Belfast breakfast meeting, she shared her own story of chaos in the midst of what should be a wondrous moment. In candor, often punctuated with frustration, she spoke of the stoic faces on the doctors and nurses after Alia was born seven years ago … and she knew that something was terribly wrong.

In the not too distant future, Rachel knows that she will find herself in the waiting room of a hospital while her daughter goes through yet another operation to help correct the problems caused by spina bifida.

These and dozens of other stories are being heard around Maine. They are important stories that speak not of the tragedies associated with birth defects and premature birth, but of the progress and hope made possible because of volunteers supporting the March of Dimes mission.

President Franklin Roosevelt helped established this national organization in 1938, to save America’s youth from polio. His premise was that people could solve any problem if they worked together. He created a partnership of volunteers and re-searchers. Despite the fact that the country was still reeling from the depression, people began sending dimes to the White House to fund the effort and within 17 years, the Salk vaccine was developed and polio was on the run.

Today, this dynamic partnership endures. Volunteers from Maine and around the country raise money by participating in events like WalkAmerica, so researchers, outreach workers, educators and advocates can continue to do the work that helps prevent birth defects and premature birth.

For 63 years, volunteers have helped researchers make amazing strides. And today, every baby born benefits. It’s true! Every baby born – whether he or she is born healthy or with health challenges benefits because of the lifesaving screenings, tests, treatment and medicine made possible because of March of Dimes funded research.

On Sunday, April 29, Mainers have the opportunity to help continue this mission. Our state will host 22 WalkAmerica events that benefit the March of Dimes. Each one organized by a committee of caring volunteers. Each one supported by area businesses that generously donate food and prizes; and whose owners and managers encourage employees to join the company Walk team. And, each local WalkAmerica event will be successful because these team members as well as the individual participants from all walks of life, volunteer their time to collect donations from friends, family members and fellow employees.

Right now, at The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor – one of the top 10 research facilities in the world – Dr. Luanne Peters, is studying the genetic regulation of hematopoiesis, with the goal of developing gene therapy for some of the inherited anemias. Dr. Thomas Gridley is working to learn the origins of developmental defects, in hopes that someday we can prevent them.

At this and at other research facilities around the world, March of Dimes funded scientists are succeeding in identifying the important steps to understanding the causes of birth defects. Armed with this knowledge, we look to the future when babies and families will not have to endure chaos, pain and heartbreak.

In an average week in Maine, 263 babies are born; perhaps one will be your daughter, grandson, nephew or godchild. This week, three more babies will be born prematurely like Elyssia. Health care professionals will administer surfactant, lifesaving medicine, made possible because of the March of Dimes. This miracle drug will help those tiny, underdeveloped lungs take in oxygen, so he or she will have a real fighting chance. Before surfactant was available, babies born as young as Elyssia rarely survived.

On May 9, this beautiful little girl will turn 1 year old. Lincoln’s WalkAmerica committee is throwing her an early birthday party this Sunday.

The March of Dimes and our volunteers cannot physically hand each parent a gift – no teddy bears, no booties. But we can help give them the best gift of all-the chance to have the healthiest baby possible. Whether you live in this town or in another part of Maine, you can join the celebration and the Walk that literally saves babies. Join WalkAmerica.

WalkAmerica registration forms are available at KMart or online at www.modimes.org. The Northern Maine Division WalkAmerica events are scheduled at the following locations and times:

Belfast Area High School, 8 a.m. Registration, 9:00 a.m. walk

Brewer Auditorium, 8 a.m. Registration, 9 a.m. walk

Ellsworth Middle School, 8 a.m. Registration, 9 a.m. walk

Guilford United Methodist Church, 12:30 p.m. Registration, 1 p.m. walk

Region III, Lincoln, 8 a.m. Registration, 9 a.m. walk

Medway Middle School, 1 p.m. walk

Nokomis High School, 8 a.m. Registration, 8:30 a.m. walk

Rockland Elks Club, 8 a.m. Registration, 9 a.m. walk

Debora Farnham is the Northern Maine Division director of the March of Dimes.