Insurance Company Teams with March of Dimes to Raise $2 Million in a Day for Premature Babies
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., June 4, 2007 – Sometimes a problem is so big that it needs a hero with superpowers to tackle it. But, sometimes you find that even regular people have superpowers.
For the second consecutive year, Farmers Insurance agents will hold “Be a Hero for Babies Day” on June 7 aiming to raise $2 million for March of Dimes research and education programs to stem the growing crisis of premature birth, the leading cause of newborn death in the U.S. Last year, Farmers raised $1.44 million in a historic one-day fund-raising effort, easily exceeding their million-dollar-goal. This year Farmers is matching all donations made on
www.marchofdimes.com/farmers up to $250,000.
“Be a Hero for Babies shows a commitment by Farmers district managers and agents across the country to help the March of Dimes improve the health of babies,'' said Paul Hopkins, CEO of Farmers Insurance. “It's our goal to bring babies back to where they belong – healthy and strong.”
Pam Lander, a Farmers claims representative in Tennessee is an everyday hero for babies.
A long-time March of Dimes supporter whose 10-year-old niece was born premature, Ms. Lander simply got on the phone last year and asked friends, family, business associates and community leaders for contributions.
“It doesn't matter if its $5 or $500,” said Ms. Lander, who will be asking her dry cleaner and dog groomer to help her “Be a Hero.” “It has to come from your heart.”
Through simple things such as carwashes, golf outings, pancake breakfasts and pie throwing contests, other Farmers agents are doing their part to bring hope and comfort to families with a baby in neonatal intensive care.
Farmers has teamed with television hero Noah Gray-Cabey, who plays Micah Sanders, a young genius on NBC's series “Heroes.” The 11-year-old Noah has filmed a 15-second television commercial about Farmers “Be a Hero for Babies Day.”
The preterm birth rate has increased more than 30 percent since 1981 and continues to rise. Babies who survive face the risk of lifelong health challenges and developmental problems. Even babies born between 34 and 36 weeks gestation, called late preterm, have a greater likelihood of developing respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), feeding difficulties, hypothermia (temperature instability), jaundice and to have less mature brain development than full-term babies.
“I challenge everyone to visit marchofdimes.com/farmers or their local Farmers agent to make a donation to help the March of Dimes end this national prematurity crisis for babies and their families,'' said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. “Someone once said a hero is a man who does what he can. The support from Farmers agents has made each of them heroes for the more than half million babies born too soon and we thank them for their super effort.”
As the nation's third-largest personal property and casualty insurance group, Farmers is committed to improving the communities where their customers, agents and employees live and work. Farmers' commitment to the March of Dimes spans more than a decade and includes more than $12 million to “get babies back where they belong.”
The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish language Web site at nacersano.org.
