And on Friday, Knight was honored by friends and family as she retired from the job.

Over 100 of Knight's friends and family members attended a surprise luncheon for her in Gainesville. She first got involved with the March of Dimes as a volunteer after the death of her first daughter, who had a birth defect.

Knight eventually worked her way up to the executive director position where her duties included organizing the annual March For Babies Walk.

"I had the opportunity to work for an organization that during the time that I was working here actually found the cause of the birth defect that took our first daughter's life," said Knight. "How many people can say they worked for an organization that really found the cure."

Knight says although she is retiring, she will still be active with the March of Dimes organization as a volunteer. She said she looks forward to spending more time with her family.