VIDALIA — Locals united around the cause of reducing premature births gathered Thursday to discuss their battle plan.

The River Cities chapter of the March of Dimes WalkAmerica Cenla Division met Thursday to kick off plans for this year’s March of Dimes event.

The March of Dimes is a fundraising event aimed at eliminating or reducing birth defects and infant mortality.

All of the money raised will go to research, river cities co-chair Jennifer Freeman said.

The river cities event will be Oct. 27, and will begin and end at the Riverview RV Park.

Participants will make a loop on the Vidalia riverwalk, Freeman said.

Co-chair Patricia Anderson, who has participated in the March of Dimes since 1996, said that this year will be the fifth and final year March of Dimes will focus on the issue of eliminating premature births.

The cause of premature birth is unknown, Freeman said.

“If they can find some of the reasons, they can cut down on healthcare costs,” she said. “Sometimes premature babies need healthcare throughout the rest of their lives.”

March of Dimes Cenla Division Director Letha Pinckley said she is involved with the March in part because she lost three premature triplets 18 years ago.

“The doctors didn’t even try to do anything,” she said. “There was nothing they could do.”

Those who want to participate in the event can walk as a member of a team or as an individual.

Participants also raise money ahead of the event.

The river cities committee is looking forward to having participation from families who have had premature children born into them, Anderson said.

“We want people who really know, who have been affected by (a premature birth),” she said. “It’s a good cause.”

For more information about the walk, call 318-448-8294 or 1-800-961-3354.