“We need everyone to join in WalkAmerica,” said Peyton R. Patterson, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of NewAlliance Bank and Honorary Chair of 2005 March of Dimes WalkAmerica. “It’s easy--simply call the Connecticut Chapter at 1-800-446-9255 or 1-800-525-WALK or visit walkamerica.org. Everyone’s participation is important because premature birth is such a common and serious problem,” she continued.   “It means a lot to me that not only is the March of Dimes funding research, they’re offering help and hope to families who have experienced premature birth.  So lace up your shoes and walk for someone you love on May 1.”

The partnership includes funding for programs to reduce premature birth and sponsorship of the March of Dimes largest fund-raising event, WalkAmerica.  Now in its 35th year, WalkAmerica supports lifesaving research and innovative programs to save babies from prematurity and birth defects.  WalkAmerica will take place in 12 communities statewide on May 1.

In 2003, the March of Dimes began a new national campaign to combat the growing problem of premature birth, which has increased nearly 29 percent since 1981.  It is the leading cause of newborn death and a factor in many serious lifelong health problems.  In Connecticut, 1 in 10 babies is born premature.

“We are delighted that NewAlliance Foundation has partnered with the March of Dimes.  They wholeheartedly support our mission of savings babies lives,” said Debra Toupence, State Director of the March of Dimes Connecticut Chapter.  “We applaud the commitment of NewAlliance Foundation to communities and families across Connecticut.”

To demonstrate NewAlliance Bank's ongoing commitment to the communities it serves, the NewAlliance Foundation was established in April 2004 as a result of a $40 million gift in stock of NewAlliance Bancshares as it became a publicly held corporation. The Foundation provides grants to qualified not-for-profit organizations that support the people and communities served by NewAlliance Bank in the arts, community development, health and human services, and youth and education.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a five-year national campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth.  For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at http://www.marchofdimes.com/walkamerica or its Spanish Web site at www.nacersano.org.                                                      

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