Non-profit organization March of Dimes held its 42nd Annual March for Babies on Saturday, April 28.

In Panama City, hundreds of people, sponsors and organizations showed up for the March for Babies walking event that raises funds to help premature babies. While most of the participants walked, some even ran through downtown Panama City to show their support for the noble cause.

Ambassador Lane Russell along with his parents Anna and Jason Russell also showed up for the March for Babies event. Lane was born eleven weeks premature.

March for Babies is held in more than one thousand communities across the United States.

Bethanne Bradshaw, a spokeswoman for March of Dimes, said, “We really appreciate everybody pulling together. There are a lot of teams and sponsors, and our schools always pull through.”

The March of Dimes was founded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to support fight against Polio. Once it accomplished its original aim, it shifted its focus to thwarting birth defects. During the last decade, it started supporting the fight against the increasing cases of premature births.