Hundreds, Including Eli Manning, March To Help Premature Babies In Manhattan
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- On a beautiful day to walk for a great cause, Giants quarterback Eli Manning led the March of Dimes' March for Babies for the ninth year in Manhattan.
"The March of Dimes, it's not just taking care of the premature babies, it's ensuring that the babies are getting a healthy start," he told WCBS 880's Marla Diamond. "And that's what they do, and that's the goal."
The nonprofit works to improve babies' health by preventing birth defects, premature births, and infant mortality, CBS2's Andrea Grymes reported.
"I got three little babies of my own at home. Thank goodness they were born healthy and it's getting better in New York City and around the country, less premature births, but we still got work to do," Manning told CBS2.
One of the kids Manning has walked with is Aidan Donohue, a member of the WCBS 880 family. He was born just weighing over a pound a half and is now a healthy 12-year-old.
Hundreds wore purple, the color of hope, during the fundraiser.
"I was born early, and I've always hoped that when I was little that I would always stay strong," said eight-year-old Hannah Fox of Staten Island.
"It means a lot to us, the research being done. We wouldn't have made it to where we are without all the medical help, the assistance, the nurses which was a support to him and me especially," mother Stephanie Park said.
CBS2's John Elliott served as host for the event, cheering on families that are hoping for a better tomorrow for all new babies.