POINT PLEASANT — Babies represent the future.

And the March of Dimes represents hope for all babies, working to improve their health by supporting research to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

The March of Dimes’ signature fundraising event, March for Babies, is set for 2 p.m. Sunday, May 3 at Krodel Park in Point Pleasant. According to Terry Eller, community director for the Tri-County March for Babies, more than 20 teams are set to participate in the walk.

She described this year’s goal as raising $37,000 and said she believed this would not be a difficult goal to come close to or reach due to all of the teams’ fundraising as well as community support.

“I project that we will raise more than $30,000 by the end of the walk,” Eller said.

Eller added that individuals can participate in the walk as well and that interested walkers do not have to pre-register for the event.

“There is still time for people to come fund-raise, or they can just show up and walk and make a personal donation themselves,” she said, adding that all donations are important to the cause.

Eller described March for Babies as being vital because of all the things it does to help babies, including premature births.

“March of Dimes took a turn to concentrate on premature births because a lot of women have premature babies and don’t know why. It is important to find answers to that and to educate women (on premature births) during the onset of pregnancy,” she said.

According to Eller, those who have received a polio vaccine have been helped by March of Dimes. Babies that have received lung surfactant therapy to treat respiratory distress syndrome also have been helped by the organization. In addition, those who are aware that alcohol, street drugs and tobacco use during pregnancy may cause serious birth defects; that folic acid may help prevent neutral tube defects of the brain and spinal cord; and those who know the signs of pre-term labor and what to do if it happens have been aided by the March of Dimes.

Eller said the walk will take place rain or shine, and she advised participants to prepare for the weather accordingly. She also encouraged the community to support this year’s walk.

“We are all walking for babies and we walk for all babies — maybe you are walking for a baby with a birth defect, walking for a premature baby or you had a healthy baby and are walking to support other mothers,” Eller said.

For more information, visit http://www.marchforbabies.com or http://www.marchofdimes.com, or call Eller at 304-675-6029.