DENVER, Colo., March 31, 2006/The community is invited to help fight prematurity and other infant-health problems by participating in the upcoming March of Dimes WalkAmerica, the organization said today. Event sign-up forms are now available at all area Famous Footwear, Foley’s, King Soopers, Kmart, Loaf ‘N Jug and TCF Bank locations, or by calling the March of Dimes at (303) 692-0011. People can also register online at walkamerica.org.

WalkAmerica is slated for Saturday, April 29 at Civic Center Park and throughout downtown. A minimum $25 donation per walker is suggested. Prizes (including sports gear and airline tickets) are available to those who collect $200 or more.

Having raised $1.3 million for WalkAmerica in 2005, Colorado walkers this year have a goal of $1.7 million. Funds help the March of Dimes improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Fighting prematurity (the leading cause of newborn death in Colorado and nationwide) is a key March of Dimes initiative. The March of Dimes works to achieve its mission through research, community services, education and advocacy.

Celebrating its 36th anniversary this year, WalkAmerica is the nation’s oldest charitable walking event and the largest annual March of Dimes fundraiser. It takes place in 1,400 communities across the country. In addition to Denver, other Colorado communities hosting WalkAmerica events include Boulder, Fort Collins/Loveland, Grand Junction, Greeley, Colorado Springs and Pueblo.

Local WalkAmerica sponsors include CIGNA, The Children’s Hospital, Wells Fargo, KDVR-TV Fox 31, the Denver Business Journal and radio stations KYGO, Smooth Jazz 104.3, KS1075, Sportsradio 950 the Fan and Classic Country 16 Kicks. State sponsors are Loaf ‘N Jug, Farmers Insurance Group and Bank of the West. National WalkAmerica sponsors are CIGNA, Kmart, FedEx, Famous Footwear and Farmers Insurance Group.

The March of Dimes is a national nonprofit health organization founded in 1938.  In Colorado, the March of Dimes currently funds nearly $1.7 in healthy-baby programs. For more information, visit the March of Dimes at marchofdimes.com/colorado.

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Media contact
Becky Herlinger  
March of Dimes
(303) 692-0011
bherlinger@marchofdimes.com