| BIRMINGHAM, AL, on April 25, 2009 at Caldwell Park on Highland Avenue, residents will put aside other cares they each may have in order to join together in support of all Jefferson County babies by participating in the Metro Birmingham March for Babies. “Helping to give every baby a healthy chance at life is vital to the hope and future of Birmingham,” said Dr. Andrew Westmoreland, 2009 March for Babies Chairman. “One in every 5 babies born in Jefferson County is born prematurely; therefore, born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. We are the hope for these mothers and babies, and they desperately need our support.”
The most urgent infant health problem in the U.S. today is premature birth. It affects more than half a million babies each year, with the number growing every day. The March of Dimes issued a Report Card on Premature Birth, giving the nation a D and Alabama an F. Babies born too soon are more likely to die or have disabilities. The March of Dimes is committed to reducing this toll by funding research to find the answers to premature birth and providing comfort and information to families who are affected.
Funds raised by March for Babies in Metro Birmingham support a peer counselor program at the Jefferson County Department of Health, a Parent and Family Support Program at St. Vincent’s, a Back-to-Sleep Education Program and Professional Education at UAB Medical Center and a Women’s Comprehensive Care Conference at Brookwood Medical Center.
In addition to the active community grants that the March of Dimes provides, there is also an on-site staff specialist and funding for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Family Support Program at UAB Medical Center. This program alone serves more than 1,200 families each year.
Participation in March for Babies will provide a memorable and rewarding day for the whole family. The annual March for Babies fundraiser is Saturday, April 25th at Caldwell Park on Highland Avenue. We will have local celebrities, Rob and Shannon of Magic 96.5, and an ABC 33/40 personality, just to name a few.
“In addition to the fun activities, the walk is an opportunity to teach children the value of volunteering—how their gifts of time, energy and money, no matter the size, can have a big impact when they’re part of supporting a worthy cause,” said Dr. Andrew Westmoreland. “And for families of all sizes and ages, supporting the cause of healthy babies is a perfect match!”
In 2009 national March for Babies sponsors are Kmart, the March of Dimes largest corporate supporter, CIGNA, Continental Airlines, Famous Footwear, Farmers Insurance Group, FedEx, First Response, Liberty Tax Services, Mead Johnson Nutrition and Ther-Rx.
In Metro Birmingham March for Babies is sponsored by Publix Supermarkets; Samford University; Alabama Telco Credit Union; Brasfield & Gorrie; Baptist Health System; Magic 96.5; St. Vincent’s Health System; United Healthcare; Robins & Morton; Alabama Baby Magazine; Turner Rental; Royal Cup; Wyatt Constructions; B E & K; Motion Industries; Thompson Tractor Company; Hoar Construction; Maynard Cooper & Gale; Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton; and TRO Jung/Brannen.
To join in, visit marchforbabies.org, or call toll-free (800) 525-9255 to sign up as an individual, to start a corporate, family or friends team, or donate to help babies be born healthy. Participants can also pick up sponsor forms at Kmart.
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.
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