March of Dimes families, friends, and supporters came together on Saturday, October 31st, to raise funds for life-saving research at the Chesapeake March for Babies. The event was held at the Chesapeake Municipal Center and this year’s co-chairs for the walk were Mike Perez, Principal at Grassfield High School, and Laurence Aikens, President of the Chesapeake Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
The Carnegies served as the mission family for the second year in a row. Karen “Kacey” Carnegie and her husband Adam have been married for seven years. Their daughter, 20-month-old Elsi, was born three weeks early and weighed only 5 lbs. and 8 oz.
Kacey’s pregnancy was considered high-risk because she had had her pituitary gland removed several years before. Elsi entered the world during an ice storm and came home from the hospital during a nor’easter, and despite her early entry into the world today she is a happy, healthy, and independent little girl.
Kacey is proud to once again be representing the March of Dimes and spreading awareness about the organization’s mission to prevent premature birth and birth defects. “Elsi is a little bit bigger this year and she is more grown up,” Kacey said. “It was a lot of fun to see her get up in front of everyone and dance to the music that was playing.”
There is another reason the Carnegies are advocates for the March of Dimes. Kacey’s niece, Emma, was born four weeks before her due date. This year Emma and Elsi, dressed in matching sparkly black tutus and orange shirts with the words “I have daddy under my spell” written across the front in white letters, marched with their family and raised $1700 for the March of Dimes.
“It was a great event with lots of participation from the community,” Kacey said. “Because of the March of Dimes my family has two little girls who can now take part.”
Elsi and Emma take a moment to rest and smile for the camera during the Chesapeake March for Babies.
supportmarchofdimeshr 