| (Manchester, CT)—They were the best feel-good moments of the week in 10 communities across the state when nearly 6,000 walkers joined together in support of the smallest members of Connecticut’s communities -- babies—by participating in March for Babies to benefit the March of Dimes. In Connecticut an expected $1.2 million was raised to support the mission to give all babies a healthy start.
Funds raised through events like March for Babies help support: over $100,000 each year to local community agencies to provide education, training and programs for high-risk pregnant women to receive preventive care; tools and education for doctors and nurses around risk reduction for preterm labor to reduce the number of preterm births in Connecticut; a NICU Family Support Program at UConn Health Center in Farmington to provide information and comfort to over 500 families in crisis; and $4.1 million in research currently at Yale University and The University of Connecticut to find causes and possible preventions for premature birth and birth defects.
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 Connecticut a C. 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.
March for Babies in Connecticut is sponsored by CIGNA, NBC 30, Comcast and Bob’s Discount Furniture. National March for Babies sponsors are Kmart, the March of Dimes number one corporate supporter, CIGNA, Continental Airlines, Famous Footwear, Farmers Insurance Group of Companies, FedEx, First Response, Liberty Tax Services, Mead Johnson Nutrition and Ther-Rx.
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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