Snyder named March of Dimes ambassador

Elizabeth Faith Snyder is one of the local March of Dimes WalkAmerica Ambassadors for 2003. Shown with little Elizabeth are, from left, Chris, Leanette, Dee and Cameron Snyder. (Photo provided)

Elizabeth Faith Snyder, daughter of Christopher and Leanette Snyder, will be one of the ambassadors representing the March of Dimes in the Warren County area in 2003. Elizabeth was chosen because she was born with a rare birth defect, but survived, thanks to March of Dimes support of neonatal intensive care units.

Elizabeth was born with Propionic Acidemia which is a rare metabolic disorder characterized by deficiency of an enzyme involved in the breakdown of the chemical “building blocks” of certain proteins. Symptoms most commonly become apparent during the first weeks of life and, if untreated, the child may suffer from irreversible brain damage and death.

The Snyder family is carrying on a 56-year-old tradition of the March of Dimes to select a child as a living symbol of the March of Dimes successful fight to save babies. They’ll be leading the way in WalkAmerica along with the Baines family, also a Warren County ambassador family. This is the March of Dimes biggest and best known fund-raising event to support research and programs to find the causes of premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality.

In McMinnville, WalkAmerica will take place on May 4 at the county courthouse square in McMinnville. Join the Snyder and the Baines family when they walk and raise money to save babies. Last year more than 200 people walked in Warren County and raised over $39,000 to help in this cause.

Local sponsors for the 2003 March of Dimes WalkAmerica include AIG American General, River Park Hospital, Security Federal Savings Bank, Dr Pepper, Cumberland Bank, Bridgestone/Firestone, Ben Lomand Communications and Oster/Sunbeam.