One hundred twenty-five people walked four miles of pavement during the March of Dimes Aiken Walk of America on April 28 at H. Odell Weeks Activity Center.

The event was projected to raise about $47,000 to help fund genetic research, health care for uninsured pregnant women and educational programs about preconception, prenatal care and newborn screening, said LaRonda Scott, the community director for the South Carolina Midlands division of the March of Dimes.

Statistics show that one in six babies born in South Carolina is premature.

Andrew and Mary Frances Hendrix and their 4-year-old twin daughters, Sarah and Grace, served as this year's local ambassador family for the March of Dimes. Born 12 weeks premature, Sarah and Grace weighed, respectively, 2 pounds, 12 ounces, and 2 pounds, 6 ounces.

After delivery, the twins had respiratory distress, bradycardia, and an infection and had to stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit until their health stabilized.

The girls arrived home at 7 pounds, 4 ounces each and were placed on apnea monitors and several medications.

Even though there are success stories such as the Hendrix family, Ms. Scott said there's still a growing need in the community.

"My mission is to prevent prematurity. Period. I'm here for the families," she said. "Our volunteers are our engine. They're our heart and soul because they work so hard for this cause.

"When you learn about these families you have to be ready because some stories can make you very emotional. Some don't get to bring a child home.".

Jennifer Wicks, for example, was with her twins for only 7 hours before they died at the hospital. Eighteen weeks into her pregnancy, Ms. Wick's sonogram indicated her children had three of the five markers for Down syndrome.

At 23 weeks and five days, Ms. Wicks gave birth to Kyra, 15.9 ounces, and Jayde, 1 pound, 3.5 ounces. They could breathe on their own despite being only "about the size of Beanie Babies."

According to Ms. Wicks, the hospital declares 24 weeks as the point at which a child is viable - its ability to live outside the womb.

"It's a miracle they survived 7 hours without any medical intervention at all," she said. "Their heart rates were high; they weren't put in an incubator or anything."

Ms. Wicks said their father held them both against his chest so they could draw from his body heat.

"They sounded like kittens purring to each other. He was trying everything he could to help them survive," she said.

Ms. Wicks is a member of the Aiken Multiple Blessings Club, which she joined soon after she became pregnant with Kyra and Jayde.

"I like telling my story because I can help others. I want people to know what viability is and how to choose the best hospital so they have the best possible chance for their babies," she said.