The March of Dimes is mobilizing its nationwide network of chapters and volunteers to meet the immediate and ongoing needs of pregnant women and babies imperiled by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and their aftermath, especially sick and extremely fragile premature babies. 

Immediate Needs (Up to 3 Months)

1. The March of Dimes is addressing the immediate concerns, including safe water, food, hygiene, and clothing for thousands of pregnant women, new mothers, and babies in desperate need in the affected areas.
2. We are obtaining supplies to assist hospitals, shelters, and towns throughout Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas that are overwhelmed with trying to care for displaced mothers and babies.
3. We are providing support and comfort to families of more than 100 sick and premature babies who were transported to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Woman’s Hospital of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the site of a new March of Dimes NICU Family Support project. March of Dimes specialists are at work at Woman’s Hospital to provide direct service and support to NICU parents during this difficult time. The hospital has also asked the March of Dimes for help with supplies.
4. March of Dimes chapters in affected areas are distributing emergency health information materials to pregnant women and mothers with infants to reduce the risk of communicable diseases and help them cope with nutrition, safe water, and safe preparation of infant formula, as well as teaching the signs and symptoms of premature labor. For those with Internet access, this information is available on the March of Dimes Web site.
5. We are activating our national network of 171 Stork’s Nests, a cooperative program with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. Through Stork’s Nest, pregnant women in need will get maternity clothes, baby clothes and furniture at minimal or no cost. The program also will integrate women living in shelters and temporary housing into health education seminars including prenatal care, nutrition, infant care and parenting.
6. Parent-to-parent outreach: Volunteers for the March of Dimes who are themselves parents of premature babies are filling and donating baskets of small items they know will be immediately useful for families and their babies who are in the NICU.

Ongoing Needs (3 to 12 Months)

The March of Dimes is assessing the status and making projections of the long-term maternal, infant, and child health needs in areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. These include:

1. An expected rise in the number of babies born prematurely, who will require specialized NICUs, equipment and care.
2. A potentially large increase in the number of deliveries in towns and cities that are housing evacuees, overwhelming existing health care services, facilities and supplies.
3. The need for help and support for surviving women, babies and families who have lost everything and will lack access to services for months to come.

Funding Needs

Pregnant women and infants are in desperate need of lifesaving help and support in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The March of Dimes is committed to raising $5 million to meet the immediate and sustained needs of these mothers and babies. You can help by making a donation to the March of Dimes Hurricane Assistance Fund that can be used in the areas of greatest need.  Donations can be made to the March of Dimes by visiting How You Can Help on its Web site. Through the Web site, you may also donate directly to the Louisiana, Mississippi or Texas chapter or any chapter you choose.  

Donations are urgently needed to:

1. Provide prenatal care and counseling for pregnant women by organizing and deploying outreach workers and trained health professionals where needed.
2. Obtain a mobile prenatal care van to bring care to pregnant women and babies in shelters and others who lack access to regular health care facilities.
3. Develop new, updated health education specifically designed for pregnant women and for new mothers displaced from their homes. 
4. Strengthen the March of Dimes program to provide support and comfort for the families of sick and premature babies in hospital neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in affected areas.
5. Distribute multivitamins with folic acid to women of childbearing age and pregnant women to reduce the risk of neural tube defects.
6. Purchase infant and child vaccinations for hospitals, schools, shelters and clinics.
7. Expand Stork’s Nests ability to provide supplies, direct services and education to more displaced pregnant women and babies in need.
8. Share information on access to Medicaid services for pregnant women and children.