When families band together, life feels better. Whether it's in celebration or in times of crisis, we gain strength and determination when surrounded by our home team. In recent years, more families are taking this notion of team empowerment on the road as they partici-pate in the March of Dimes Walk America events around the country. Family teams are one of the fastest-growing segments of the nationwide program, which has raised $1.7 billion to fight premature birth and save babies. And the trend is far-reaching: Family members living on separate coasts or in opposite corners of the country are connecting in spirit as they walk for their team in different locales."It's always been a wonderful thing to get up in the morning and walk with thousands of people who are all there to help end the kinds of challenges our family has faced," says Cathy Kanefsky, whose twin boys were born four months prematurely and were later diagnosed with autism. "But knowing that our relatives who live so far away are also walking to help fight our fight, that's really powerful."

The Kanefsky family walks in four different locations in honor of Sam and Adam, now 15 years old. "About 20 of us walk in New Castle County, DE," says Cathy. In Suffix County, DE, Cathy's parents, sister and two nephews walk. Her brother, Ted Adams, walks in Marion County, FL, and her nephew Noah Tolson has walked in San Francisco, CA.

"I walk because of those four months that my sister practically lived in the hospital while Sam and Adam fought for their lives," says Ted. "The March of Dimes stepped in and took the burden of cost away during that terrible time. Not knowing whether the boys would live—that drew us closer as a family. And every year when I walk I feel that strong connection. Seeing how well my nephews are doing now makes me want to give back." In fact, this year Ted became a corporate sponsor and expects that 30 or so friends and colleagues from his construction company will join him as he walks this April. "It's a great way to cele-brate what families are doing for other families," he says.

Premature birth is the No. 1 cause of newborn death in this country, endangering the lives of more than half a million babies every year. The March of Dimes has been committed to fighting this devastating problem for nearly 50 years through research, education and family support. To find out where to walk, visit www.walkamerica.org and team up with your family to save and celebrate babies—one step at a time.