Nonprofit, community members to ‘March for Babies’ this weekend

March for Babies is the largest fundraiser for March of Dimes Hawaiʻi, which aims to improve the health of babies and mothers.

The charity walk on Saturday, April 19, will kick-off at 8:30 a.m at Kakaʻako Waterfront Park in Honolulu.

More than 700 registrants are expected to attend, including families, government officials, businesses and other members of the community. Participants can plan to walk 1.25 miles, score refreshments, snacks and giveaways from sponsors and vendors, as well as enjoy live entertainment and kid activities like an Easter egg hunt. Registration is free.

The organization’s overall goal this year is to raise $280,000, up from $265,000 the year prior – its highest goal ever, according to organizers. Donations help support its prenatal programs, training for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit families and hospital staff, bereavement support, supplies and more.

“This is my fourth March for Babies event and it’s my mission to grow it every year,” said March of Dimes Hawaiʻi Executive Director Candice Fajardo. “Thanks to the generous support from the community,  we can continue to provide resources and educational services for our NICU families across the Islands.”

This event also features an ambassador family each year. Meet the Kumasakis: “After giving birth to premature twins, they lost one son shortly after, and their other son remained in the NICU and then PICU for 554 days. MOD serves hundreds of local families through Kapiʻolani Medical Center’s NICU Family Support program.”

Chick-fil-A Ala Moana owner/operator Kurt Millne, and wife Priscilla, will also be honored for their continued support of March for Babies, Fajardo told Aloha State Daily.

Sponsors for March for Babies 2025 include Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association, United Healthcare Community Plan, AlohaCare, Coca-Cola Hawaiʻi, Steve & Marilyn Katzman Foundation, among other organizations.

Fajardo took the helm of the nonprofit in 2021. She oversees two staff members and said this year, she is focused on expanding her team and providing service to the Neighbor Islands. 

In 2024, March of Dimes Hawaiʻi launched the Supportive Pregnancy Care program at Malama Ke Ola, which provides five months of prenatal education classes. “We had six moms graduate and we’re now in the second cohort," Fajardo said.

More than 750 NICU families were supported by the nonprofit last year, she said, adding that it is in need of more NICU care kits, essentially care packages containing bottles, pumps, diapers, etc. 

“My ʻwhyʻ and reason why I love working at the March of Dimes is being able to fight for the health of all moms and babies to ensure that every family will have healthy babies,” she said. 

CONTACT
March of Dimes Hawaiʻi
Candice Fajardo, executive director
Website: marchforbabies.org

2025 events:  
March for Babies: Date: April 19; Time: 8:30 a.m.; Registration time: 7:30 a.m.; Location: Kakaʻako Waterfront Park, 102 Ohe St., Honolulu
Signature Chefs: Date: Sept. 26; More details to come.
Golf Tournament: Date: Nov. 6; More details to come.

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.