AdventHealth Littleton hosts March of Dimes Walk

On Sunday, Sept. 21, AdventHealth Littleton came alive with families, caregivers, and community members joining together for the hospital’s first-ever March of Dimes Walk. The event, held during NICU Awareness Month, brought together nearly 60 participants and raised more than $2,400 to support maternal and infant health.

The walk was brought to AdventHealth Littleton thanks to the work of NICU Assistant Nurse Manager, Katie Nicholas, RN. For her, it was more than just a fundraiser. It was a deeply personal project.

“At a previous job, I was the primary nurse to a baby who passed away at seven months of age. Later, I walked with her family at a March of Dimes event,” said Katie. “Being able to celebrate and say her name out loud, which bereaved parents don’t often get to do, showed me the power of events like this.”

While March of Dimes has a long history in Colorado, local events had largely paused since the pandemic. Katie saw an opportunity to bring it back, starting at AdventHealth Littleton.

“I thought it would be a really nice way to have an engagement opportunity for our whole team,” she said. “Then I thought, what if we extend this to the Rocky Mountain region and bring as many people as possible together?”

The walk itself offered something for everyone: a bounce house, giant Jenga, and local snacks. Community partners, like Love for Lily, also joined with a booth offering resources and handmade NICU support bracelets.

“It was very cool just how everything brought people together, and that was ultimately the goal,” Katie reflected. “We picked March of Dimes because it supports infant and maternal health and focuses on improving care and closing the health equity gap.”

The event highlighted the resilience and hope within the NICU community. One nurse shared her own experience of loss and survival after a complicated pregnancy. Meanwhile, another man shared why he walked.

“We had a community member who said he actively seeks out March of Dimes events because he was a preemie himself,” said Katie. “He was so grateful to have the walk back in the metro area.”

Katie is already envisioning how to grow the event into an annual tradition, with more community partners and expanded participation across the region.

“For it being our first time, to have 60 people and raise $2,400 is pretty incredible,” she said. “I always want to go bigger and better, and I think this showed what’s possible.”

As a nonprofit, community-based hospital, AdventHealth Littleton sees events like this as vital not only to raise awareness but also to strengthen bonds with patients and families.

“The community likes to find ways to be involved, and it brings awareness to our hospital,” Katie said. “It makes everyone feel good. It fills that part of your cup.”