March of Dimes fundraiser for babies comes to Grant Park

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The March of Dimes' biggest fundraiser of the year is happening on Sunday in Chicago's Grant Park. The March for Babies hopes to raise $1.5 million for organization's mission to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

In Illinois, one in nine babies is born prematurely. The funds raised are used for community-based educational programs, advocacy and investments in research to find causes and cures for premature birth, the leading cause of death for children under the age of 5 worldwide.

2015 March of Babies National Chairman John Rainey and National Ambassador Elise Jackson joined us live from this year's event to talk about how the money raised will help.

March for Babies

Sunday, April 26

7:30 a.m.-noon (stage program begins at 8:10 a.m., walk starts at 8:30 a.m.)

Grant Park - Butler Field, Chicago

Admission: Registration is free, guests are encouraged to fundraise

Participants can join the Lake County March for Babies on May 3 in Libertyville, Ill., or the South Suburban March for Babies on May 3 at Saint Xavier University. For more information, or to make a donation, visit http://www.marchforbabies.org.