Upper Iowa University News

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Upper Iowa University shows its support for children in need as a sponsor of “The 2006 March of Dimes WalkAmerica”

Fayette (February 10, 2006)—According to the March of Dimes statistics, every year an estimated 8 million children – about 6 percent of total births worldwide – are born with a serious birth defect of genetic or partially genetic origin.

To many this may seem like too big of a problem to do anything about, but that’s not the way Upper Iowa University feels and according to Fedelina Madrid, Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the university, “Being a concerned community member means that we can make a difference one cause at a time. We don’t currently have a big budget for sponsorships, but we make it a point to support what we can and encourage other institutions and businesses in our area to do the same. Every little bit counts and does make a difference.”

The Northeast Iowa WalkAmerica kickoff meeting will be held on Monday, February 13, at Noon in conjunction with the regular meeting of the Decorah Chamber at the Stone Hearth Inn in Decorah. Among invited guests and speakers will be the 2006 Northeast Iowa Walksite Ambassador Family, Ruth Jenkins and Ed Huinker and their son, Rex Huinker, who was born premature at just 25 weeks gestation due to an undetected inter-uterine infection. Rex weighed 1 lb. 11 oz. at birth, was 12 inches long, and his head was no bigger than a tennis ball. With only a 40 percent chance of survival, the first 24 hours in the Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) were critical. Rex was given Surfactant to help his lungs adjust.

Given the nickname “Premiesauras Rex” by the nurses, he spent the next 101 days in the NICU. “We are extremely grateful for all the research that March of Dimes has helped fund,” states his mother, Ruth Jenkins. “Without the March of Dimes, Rex would not have had Surfactant, and he would not have made it.”

Last year, the Northeast Iowa WalkAmerica held in Decorah raised $37,000 for MOD, a $10,000 increase over the previous year. The 2006 MOD WalkAmerica is planned for Saturday, April 29, in Decorah.

Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private university providing educational excellence and leadership development to approximately 6,000 students -- both nationally and internationally -- at our traditional campus in picturesque Fayette, Iowa; through our various Online degree programs; at our U. S. Centers; via Correspondence courses, and at our International centers in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vancouver, Canada. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in the delivery of quality education, and is also proud of its diverse range of student populations and progressive flexible options for traditional and non-traditional students of all ages. To learn more about Upper Iowa University, its degree programs, locations, and renowned scholars, please visit us at www.uiu.edu.

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Upper Iowa University
Public Relations
Sheila Miller, Director
563-425-5326
millers@uiu.edu

Upper Iowa University
Public Relations
P.O. Box 1859
Fayette, IA 52142-1859