The 2017 March for Babies walk is being held at 2 p.m. on April 29, at the Rochester Community and Technical College Fieldhouse indoor track in Rochester.

An estimated 800 area residents from around southeast Minnesota will put on their walking shoes for healthier babies.

Each year in southeastern Minnesota, 560 babies are born prematurely and 190 babies are born with birth defects.

This walk helps fund March of Dimes research, education and programs that help families with a baby in intensive care.

The kick-off celebration for this event will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 5, at Bowlocity Entertainment Center. There will be free bowling, a short program and team material handouts. All are welcome.

Find out more at www.marchforbabies.org; or Tyler Grapp, 1530 Greenview Drive SW Suite 114, Rochester, MN 55902, 507- 990-8625; tgrapp@marchofdimes.org.