WASHINGTON, MAY 15, 2001 – The March of Dimes today receives the national impact award from the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB) for its educational campaign to alert women to the need for the B vitamin folic acid beginning before pregnancy to prevent serious birth defects. Nancy O’Dell, co-anchor of Access Hollywood and a long-time March of Dimes volunteer, will present the award in a special Capitol Hill ceremony at 11.30 a.m. in the Cannon House Office building.
The March of Dimes initiated its folic acid campaign six years ago to prevent serious birth defects of the brain and spine known as neural tube defects, specifically spina bifida and anencephaly. By encouraging all women of childbearing age to take a vitamin supplement containing 400 micrograms of folic acid every day as part of a healthy diet, the March of Dimes hopes to reduce the incidence of these birth defects by at least 30 percent.
Also being honored by HMHB for their leadership in communicating important messages on prenatal care to women nationwide are:
- U.S. Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD), for his commitment to the prevention of fetal alcohol syndrome
- Dr. Steven Offenbacher of the University of North Carolina, for his research on the link between oral health and prematurity and low birthweight in babies
- Heidi Murkoff, co-author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting.
The March of Dimes chairs the National Council on Folic Acid, of which HMHB is a member.
The National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the health and safety of mothers, babies and families through education and collaborative partnerships of public and private organizations.
