From staff reports
A Seneca family has been named the ambassador family for this year’s Oil Region March for Babies.
Jessica and Chris McKiernan and their baby, Norah, of Seneca, will walk in this year’s event which will be held Saturday, April 22, at the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville.
A kick off event for the march will be held from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville, Broadhurst Science Center – Henne Lobby.
Businesses, clubs, families and individuals who are interested in supporting, sponsoring, walking or fundraising for the March of Dimes may stop by to gain information and supplies to assist in their efforts.
This will be the first year walking in the March for Babies event for the McKiernans.
Norah McKiernan was born eight weeks prematurely at a weight of 3 pounds. Norah spent seven weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit at Magee Women’s Health in Pittsburgh.
At 7 weeks old, Norah was admitted to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh for laparoscopic surgery. She was found to have pyloric stenosis that caused her to stop digesting her food.
While in the NICU, the nurses referred to Norah as an “NICU Rock Star”, and she was often described as feisty. A year later her mother is still using this term to describe Norah.
After just celebrating her first birthday, Norah is now a healthy, happy and growing baby.
The McKiernan family will be raising money and walking with the team, Walk for Love.
Registration for the March for Babies begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 22, with the walk starting at 10 a.m. The Pitt-Titusville gymnasium will serve as the hub of festivities where walkers can enjoy free food, building with a local home improvement store, children’s games and bounce house, live entertainment and much more.
Cricket Wencil-Tracey, the local March for Babies spokesperson and event coordinator, said the goal for this year’s fundraising campaign is $29,000. In 2016, local teams surpassed their $29,000 goal by raising about $32,000.
Wencil-Tracey believes the Oil Region can meet and even surpass this year’s goal with the help, generosity and dedication of so many organizations, businesses, and individual walkers.
To register as an individual or team member for the walk, people can visit www.marchforbabies.org or contact Wencil-Tracey at (814) 673-0963 or mwenciltracey@marchforbabies.org for more information.
