A Lake City mother is raising awareness and fundraising for a cure for a pregnancy complication after her own personal experience of the “awful disease”. Walk Coordinator and preeclampsia survivor, Kimberlyn Slagle had her son on March 30, 2024 at Stewart Memorial Community Hospital in Lake City. During labor, Slagle’s blood pressure spiked and a urine analysis came back with high levels of protein, both indicators of preeclampsia. Slagle stayed a few extra days in the hospital and was sent home with a low-dose blood pressure medicine when levels started looking more stable.
Slagle says her journey to start the “Lake City Promise Walk” event began when she was trying to find support groups online for individuals diagnosed or who have suffered with preeclampsia.
The Lake City Promise Walk is this Saturday, with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the city square. There is no registration fee and all are welcome to participate in the 5K. Slagle says there will be a short presentation before the walk begins.
Slagle says they wanted to make this event as family-friendly as possible, because it’s not just the mother who is diagnosed that is affected, and family members also deserve support as well. Slagle says all money raised will be donated to the Preeclampsia Foundation for various programs, research and more.
Again, Slagle welcomes all to the first annual Lake City Promise Walk for Preeclampsia this Saturday starting at 8:30 a.m. Saturday is also the national day for the Wherever Promise Walk. So if individuals cannot make it to Lake City, a picture can be taken, posted on social medial with #PromiseWalk to promote support for the effort. Anyone wishing to gather more information can view the Preeclampsia Foundation Facebook page or the Lake City Promise Walk Facebook page, links to both are included below.
