Some rain didn’t stop more than a hundred people from coming out for the annual march of dimes in Clearfield. 

Families walked six laps across the Clearfield County Fair Grounds all to raise money for premature babies. Jessica and Troy Cyphert walked for their daughter Rae.”As a mom, I felt a little bit guilty that she was early. But she gave us so much hope and she gave us a reason why to fight,” said Cyphert. 

Rae is now caught up with requirements for her 2-year-old age group and doesn’t have any developmental problems to date. However, not every family is as lucky. Organizer Pam Koozer says she’s like the many moms who blame themselves for premature labor. “There was no reason why Braden should have come premature, come early. It was nothing I did our doctor said because I was so health was probably one of the reasons he survived,” says Koozer.

The organizer first got started with the organization before her son, Braden, was born at 1 lb 12 oz. “We keep on saying that Braden would not be alive if it weren’t for the march of dimes. his lungs weren’t working they would not inflate. The drug the March of Dimes helped research and develop is literally what saved him,” adds Koozer. 

Twenty-two- years later Koozer and Braden give back by organizing the event. Their main goal is to bring families together and to show their strength. She says her ultimate goal to have every baby born with a healthy start. “The March of Dimes is there to find these causes. We will find a cure for prematurity and we need to keep raising funds to make sure that happens,” says Koozer. 

WTAJ’s Melissa Steininger was the featured emcee at the march for babies event in Clearfield. So far, the Clearfield organization has raised more than $27,000.