| (Manchester, CT, Jan. 16, 2008)—WalkAmerica, the March of Dimes largest fundraising event, which brought in $117 million nationwide last year, has been renamed March for Babies. The new name makes a clear connection to what the March of Dimes is all about – the health of babies.
“The name of our event has changed, but our mission stays the same – working towards the day when every baby is born healthy,” said Paul Smith, Chapter Chair, March of Dimes Connecticut Chapter. “We hope the new name will bring more people on board to help make that day a reality.”
In Connecticut, March for Babies will take place in seven locations on Sunday, April 27 (Danbury, Hartford, Mystic, New Britain, New Haven, Norwalk, Quassy Amusement Park) and three sites on Sunday, May 4 (Middletown, Putnam, Torrington). Participants can sign up to help fund lifesaving research and educational programs aimed at helping moms have healthy babies. Last year, over 4,000 walkers participated raising a record $1.3 million in Connecticut.
In Connecticut funds raised by March for Babies supports community grants to help pregnant women get access to prenatal care; NICU Family Support to provide information and comfort to families with newborns in intensive care; research to find answers to premature birth and birth defects, and much more.
Smith emphasized that the mission priority of the March of Dimes is to fight the growing crisis of prematurity. “Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death and we are committed to reducing its toll,” he said. “By engaging more people in our mission, and educating more pregnant women and moms about healthy babies, we hope to reach that goal much sooner.”
In addition to a new name, March for Babies has a new Web site. Interested walkers and donors can visit marchforbabies.org or call toll-free 1-800-525-9255 to sign up as an individual, start a corporate, family or friends team, or donate to help babies be born healthy.
The new name of its premier event is part of a larger March of Dimes initiative focused on all babies—those born healthy as well as those who need help to survive and thrive. The March of Dimes also has released a new public service advertising campaign, and is offering pregnant women and moms new medical information in new ways that fit their active lifestyle, including email, podcasts, and text messaging.
In 2008, national March for Babies sponsors are CIGNA, Continental Airlines, Famous Footwear, Farmers, FedEx, Grain Foods Foundation, Liberty Tax Services, nesting.com, and Kmart, the March of Dimes number one corporate partner which has raised more than $63 million for babies. Additional national sponsorship is provided by Discovery Health, Mead Johnson Nutritionals, Outdoor Services and Ther-Rx.
In Connecticut, March for Babies is proudly sponsored by CIGNA, Bob’s Discount Furniture and NBC 30.
For more information about March for Babies, or to register to participate in Connecticut on April 27 or May 4, visit marchforbabies.org, call 1-800-525-9255 or get sponsor forms at Kmart or Famous Footwear.
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About March of Dimes
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. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nascersano.org.
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