For 38 years, metro Phoenix volunteers have championed the fight to save babies by teaming up for March of Dimes WalkAmerica.  “This year we’ve changed the name to March of Dimes March for Babies, because that’s really what it’s all about,” said Martin Shultz, 2008 Arizona March for Babies Chairman.  “We’re walking to save babies’ lives,” continued Shultz, Vice President of Government Affairs for Pinnacle West.

Scheduled for Saturday, April 19 at Wesley Bolin Plaza, 1700 W. Washington St., in front of the Arizona State Capitol, March for Babies will attract more than 6,000 volunteers from companies, schools and families to raise funds to support the March of Dimes mission of preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.  Registration begins at 7 a.m.  The official start at 8 a.m. will be carried live on 12 News.

For details and to register, call 602-266-9933 or log on to www.marchofdimes.com/arizona.  Event highlights include a 4-mile walk through historic downtown Phoenix, a Kids Zone, food pavilion and a mission tent, where families whose lives have been touched by the March of Dimes will share their stories.  Many volunteers participate to celebrate the birth of a healthy baby, to honor a baby who struggled to survive, or in memory of a baby who was lost.

Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death, and it is increasing at an alarming rate – nearly 30 percent in the past 20 years.  For about half of these babies, there is no known reason why they were born before they were due.  March of Dimes is dedicated to finding answers to reduce the rate of babies who are born prematurely.

March for Babies statewide sponsors are APS and the Arabian Horse Assn. of Arizona.  Metro Phoenix sponsors include AmeriCredit, CIGNA, Farmers, 12 News and Cox Communications.  National sponsors are Kmart, CIGNA, Farmers, Fed Ex, Famous Footwear, Liberty Tax, Nesting.com, Grains for Life and Continental Airlines.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency celebrating its 70th anniversary.  For more information, visit the March of Dimes website at http://www.marchofdimes.com or its Spanish language website at http://www.nacersano.org.

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