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March of Dimes Announces Record-Breaking WalkAmerica in 2001
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., MAY 4, 2001 – It’s the walk of all charity walks, the one that started the trend in the U.S. thirty one years ago – and it looks like the older it gets the better it gets.
Today the March of Dimes announced that the preliminary results from WalkAmerica 2001 – most Walks were held the last weekend in April -- show the event will raise well over $90 million. Projections indicate a record year with a target of more than $95 million, up from $89 million last year.
"We’re very excited," said Dr. Jennifer Howse, president of the March of Dimes, "and happily overwhelmed by this tremendous support from millions of people across the country. People care -- they care about saving babies, they care about women’s health, and they care about the work we do."
WalkAmerica is the single largest March of Dimes fundraising event, and is held in 1,400 communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Since its beginning in 1970 has raised more than $1 billion. The funds are used to prevent birth defects and infant mortality through programs of research, community services, education and advocacy.
The focus for this year’s WalkAmerica has been preventing premature births, a condition that has risen steadily in the U.S. (between 1981 and 1998, the rate of preterm births has increased 23 percent) and which affects 450,000 infants each year.
Among its many programs regarding prematurity prevention, the March of Dimes was instrumental in developing a regional system of neo-natal intensive care units (NICUs) across the country, and continues to fund research aimed at improving treatments to help sick newborns survive.
The Foundation also developed the Perinatal Epidemiological Research Initiative (PERI), which studies data regarding medical, psychological and social and biological factors to look for clues to the causes of preterm birth.
Funds will continue to be raised throughout the year through, among others, well-known March of Dimes campaigns including Mothers March (now in its 51st year), Blue Jeans for Babies, and the "Ride" motorcycle rallies held in several states.
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