n By Heather Bremner Staff Writer
Gilroy – For the Ludwicks, the March of Dimes cause is personal.
The Gilroy couple lost their infant son Tyler, only 19 days after his birth. Born in 1998 on Halloween, Tyler was premature, but relatively healthy.
Yet, only two and a half weeks after his birth he developed a severe infection and died 24 hours later. On Sunday, Mary and Ed Ludwick and their 6-year-old son Daniel Ludwick, will walk in memory of Tyler.
Registration for the walk will begin at 8am. There will also be speeches and introductions before the walk starts at 9am. Participants will walk about four-and-a-half miles through Christmas Hill Park.
It’s been many, many years since Gilroy has hosted a March of Dimes walk, said Tina Herren, executive director of the South Bay division.
March of Dimes was established more than 50 years ago and WalkAmerica has been in existence for more than 30 years.
Through research, aided by fundraising, March of Dimes has managed to raise awareness of prematurity and reduced pre-term births from 12 percent in 2002 to 7.6 percent in 2001, according to the organization.
Participants raise money for the cause by asking for donations from sponsors. There is no fee to participate. Last year, the South County division – which encompasses San Jose, Pacific Grove, Gilroy, Hollister and Morgan Hill – raised $791,000.
A total of 79 percent of the money raised from WalkAmerica goes to research, community grounds, education and advocacy, Herren said. In January, individuals and corporations began raising money for the event.
For more information contact Herren at 260-7629.
