Initial tallies project $3.3 million, but are expected to climb over next month

(Chicago…April 30, 2009) – Pouring rain and chilly temperatures did not dampen the spirits of the 20,000 walkers on a mission to save babies at several March for Babies sites in Illinois last weekend.  In Illinois, $3.3 million was raised for the March of Dimes, with the highest totals coming from the Chicago Division - $1.2 million, which includes almost $450,000 from the DuPage County walk site in Naperville. 

At the Lakefront site in Grant Park, thousands of walkers were led by two Navistar sponsored trucks, cheerleaders and the Color Guard from Hubbard High School, as well as NBC5’s Rob Elgas who emceed the largest walk site in the state.  Also on hand were the Lakefront Ambassador Family (Craig, Terra and Hugh Close), Team Kmart (largest corporate team and sponsor) and March of Dimes board members. Other walk sites also brought in local celebrity support.  FOX Chicago’s Amy Freeze emceed the DuPage County walk and ABC7’s Jim Rose emceed the event in Bolingbrook. Local radio personalities including WGCI’s Bionce Fox, US99’s Trish Biondo, FRESH 105’s Mike LeBaron and WTMX‘s Koz hosted other walk sites throughout the area and thousands came out to walk despite the rain.

There were seven March for Babies sites in the Chicagoland area: Grant Park (Chicago), Naperville River Walk (Naperville), Pottawatomie Park (St. Charles), Sunset Woods Park (Highland Park), Busse Woods (Elk Grove Village), Midlothian Meadows (Midlothian) and Bolingbrook Promenade (Bolingbrook).   These are the first projections and numbers are expected to rise next month, as of April 28, the Lakefront walk site raised $1.2 million, followed by the DuPage County site that raised almost $450,000. 
Ninety cents of every dollar raised at March for Babies will go toward funding research, community services, education and advocacy in Illinois.  Since 1970, March for Babies, has helped fund lifesaving research to prevent premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality.  Now, in its 39th year, the March of Dimes largest fundraising event brings together thousands of families touched by premature birth, hundreds of corporate teams dedicated to support the mission, and thousands of volunteers connected through friends, families, hospitals and corporate sponsors.

The March of Dimes is the champion for all babies, and has protected their health for 70 years, beginning with funding the research that led to the prevention of polio.  Today, more than half a million babies are born too soon nationwide, and in Illinois alone, more than 23,300 babies are born prematurely annually.  One out of every eight babies is born prematurely in this country, and premature birth is the leading cause of death for infants in the first month of life.

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.