Hi Friend,
Happy Holidays! Last month we honored 20 years of Prematurity Awareness Month, a cause we've been fighting for every day since—especially now as our country's maternal and infant health crisis worsens. On November 16, we issued the 2023 March of Dimes Report Card finding that in 2022, over 380,000 babies were born preterm—10.4% of all births—earning the U.S. a D+. This report also included state-level Report Cards offering detailed data and policy recommendations for local communities.
Since 2008, March of Dimes has published this data to educate communities and advocate for moms and babies. In the report, we highlight the collective factors that contribute to maternal and infant health outcomes, such as the 1 in 10 babies born preterm, the doubling of maternal mortality rates since 2018, and the alarming rise in maternity care deserts.
Corporate partners help fuel our mission to ensure all newborns have a fighting chance, and all moms have a healthy pregnancy and birth. We’re offering numerous sponsorship and partnership opportunities for 2024 that bring powerful benefits to your brand, while delivering critical support to the millions of families we serve. Please email us to learn more about these opportunities. We hope you have a happy and healthy holiday season!
'Til next time,
Elizabeth Dunn
VP, Corporate Engagement
March of Dimes
Local corporate spotlights: State Report Card support
This year, we offered corporate partners the opportunity to support our 2023 state-level Report Cards to increase awareness of maternal and infant health at the local level. Below we highlight two corporate partners who joined this effort to support the communities they serve.
Kenvue is a global consumer health leader with headquarters in New Jersey and a portfolio of iconic household name brands such as Tylenol®, Neutrogena®, Aveeno ®, and Johnson's®. This year, they supported our New Jersey Report Card and were also the presenting sponsor of our Signature Chefs: Feeding Motherhood event in Bentonville, Arkansas on November 9.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science delivering innovative technologies, purchasing convenience, and pharmaceutical services through their industry-leading brands. This year, they supported our Texas Report Card.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association funds collaboration between March of Dimes and the American Diabetes Association
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a key corporate supporter of March of Dimes’ health education offerings, including our implicit bias training for healthcare providers.
This month, they also supported a special professional e-learning opportunity blending the missions of March of Dimes and the American Diabetes Association® to explore the crucial intersection of diabetes and maternal health. The live webinar occurred on November 7, and is now available on-demand.
Georgia Walgreens store exceeds $200K through retail fundraising
For 10 years, Walgreens Region 28 in Georgia have run annual point-of-sale customer fundraising campaigns for March of Dimes, engaging their staff and customers to raise more than $200,000 for moms and babies. This month, we had the opportunity to co-host an educational session for their associates to learn more about March of Dimes and our RSV awareness campaign to keep their families and their customers’ families safe this season.
"At Walgreens, our goal is create more joyful lives through better health and this aligns perfectly by helping to keep moms and babies healthy." -Brittany Lochstampfor, Walgreens, Brunswick, Georgia
Looking back on what we've accomplished together
Our latest Annual Report is titled "Powerful reflection" because it represents the important work March of Dimes has accomplished thanks to our corporate partners' support as we respond to the worsening health crisis impacting moms and babies. Learn more about the impact we made together to help end preventable maternal health risks and death, end preterm birth, and close the health equity gap for every family.
Corporate holiday giving opportunity: NICU Family Support
This holiday season, we invite you to help us honor NICU staff and support families by adopting a NICU Family Support® program. On top of helping sustain our mission to fight for the health of all moms and babies in local communities, this is a special opportunity to show your support for NICU staff and patient families. Email us to learn more about this year- end sponsorship opportunity.
In the news
- CNN: For second year in a row, US gets D+ grade for high preterm birth rate: ‘There’s so much work to be done’
- Good Morning America/ABC: For second year in a row, US gets D+ grade for high preterm birth rate: ‘There’s so much work to be done’
- Inside Health Policy: U.S. Scores D+ On Maternal, Infant Health; Abortion-Restrictive States, Rank Lowest
- CBS News: U.S. Among Most Dangerous Developed Nations for Childbirth
- Scripps: New March of Dimes Research Study Gives United States a D+ Grade for Preterm Births
- KFF News: US Preterm Birth Rate Is Alarmingly High, March Of Dimes Report Shows
- Contemporary OB/GYN: The latest maternal health findings from 2023 March of Dimes report card
- Catholic Health Association of the United States: CHA Statement on March of Dimes 2023 Report Card on Maternal and Infant Health