DENVER, Colo./The March of Dimes today announced its 2006 Colorado funding for healthy mom/healthy baby initiatives. In total, $1,651,144 will be invested by the organization in research and community service grants and March of Dimes mission programs. 

Eight scientific research grant recipients have been announced. Their projects (which focus on understanding and preventing birth defects and premature birth) total $1,381,646. Grantees are: Cara L. Mack, MD, of The Children’s Hospital and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center; Karolin Luger, PhD, and Barbara M. Sanborn, PhD, of Colorado State University; Kristin Bruk Artinger, PhD, Susan L. Hepburn, PhD, Jeffrey Scott Kieft, PhD, and Jessica K. Tyler, PhD, of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center; and, Joaquin Maximiliano Espinosa, PhD, of the University of Colorado at Boulder. 

Thirteen community service grant recipients have been announced as well. These projects, which provide pregnancy health education and care, total $91,800. Statewide grantees are the Colorado Perinatal Care Council and Invest in Kids. Denver metro area grantees are Clinica Campesina, Jefferson County Health Department and Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. Grantees from Southern Colorado are Catholic Charities/Diocese of Pueblo, Inc., El Paso County Department of Public Health and Environment and Saguache County Nursing Service. Western Slope grantees are Gunnison County Public Health, Hinsdale Public Health, Hilltop Community Resources, Inc., Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association and San Juan Basin Health Department.

In addition to grants to scientists and community groups, the March of Dimes will also invest nearly $178,000 in its own mission programs. These include advocacy efforts, distribution of health education materials and management of March of Dimes NICU Family Support, which is a program for families of hospitalized babies housed at The Children’s Hospital.

Complete information about 2006 grants, including project descriptions and individual grant amounts, is available at the Colorado chapter’s website at marchofdimes.com/colorado.

Individuals and groups interested in March of Dimes funding opportunities are invited to contact the organization across the state at (303) 692-0011, (719) 473-9981 or (970) 243-0894 to learn more. The community service grant application process for 2007 begins in summer 2006.

Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. To achieve its mission, the March of Dimes funds research, education, and community services and advocacy.
  
# # #

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