WATCH: Space Coast Florida Promise Walk for Preeclampsia Set Saturday at Cocoa Riverfront Park

Will be held at Cocoa Riverfront Park and Cocoa Convention Center

WATCH: The Friday Night Locker Room’s Steve Wilson (left) and Danielle Babcock Sapienza (right) talk about the Space Coast Florida Promise Walk for Preeclampsia at the Erdman Automotive Studio in Cocoa. The Walk will take place Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Cocoa Riverfront Park, 401 Riveredge Boulevard, Cocoa, starting at 8 a.m.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Space Coast Florida Promise Walk for Preeclampsia will take place Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Cocoa Riverfront Park, 401 Riveredge Boulevard, Cocoa, starting at 8 a.m. I recently had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Danielle Babcock Sapienza, the Mission Mom, about the Walk.

According to the preeclampsia website, preeclampsia is a “life-threatening hypertensive disorder that occurs only during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Preeclampsia and related disorders such as gestational hypertension, HELLP syndrome, and eclampsia are most often characterized by a rapid rise in blood pressure that can lead to seizure, stroke, multiple organ failure, and even death of the mother and/or baby.”

Sapienza told me, “I’m grateful to work with the Preeclampsia Foundation to increase awareness of postpartum eclampsia, not only for those women at high risk, but also for those who were low risk like me.

This year’s Space Coast Promise Walk for Preeclampsia is focused on highlighting that delivery is not the cure for preeclampsia – that the condition can occur up to six weeks postpartum. I hope I can use my family’s experience to help others dealing with preeclampsia.”

She encouraged participants to arrive at 7:30 a.m.

Inside the Cocoa Convention Center, which is adjacent to the amphitheater at the Park, there will be resources, vendors, raffle baskets, and more. You can also enjoy face painting, corn hole, and fun games for the entire family.

Click this link to register in advance, or you may register on site the day of the Walk. The event is FREE to the public!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia.  He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.

Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018,  Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020, Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022, Quality Floridian Award – 2022, presented by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey.

Wilson is especially proud of his chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.

He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 24 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.

The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.

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