“We’re satisfied with our WalkAmerica results, and pleased that so many supporters worked so hard to make this another successful year for the March of Dimes – especially given that many of our Metro Area walk events scheduled for April 24th were cancelled due to harsh weather that swept into Atlanta early that morning,” said March of Dimes State Board Chairman J.T. Fisher.  “Our supporters are a phenomenally committed group of people and companies, all coming together – rain or shine – to generate funds that support programs to improve the health of mothers and babies.  With approximately one out of every eight babies being born prematurely, and facing increased health risks and potentially long term complications, this is a cause we can all relate to.” 

The March of Dimes wishes to spotlight some of the teams whose performance was particularly stellar, including Publix Super Markets, Kaiser Permanente, and SunTrust Bank.  Not only are they among the largest contributors to the March of Dimes, but each of these teams substantially increased its fundraising and team participation versus last year.  At the same time, a friendly challenge between Air Tran and Delta Connection/ASA resulted in a combined increase of $30,000 over 2004.  Family Teams, which are families that have been personally touched by the mission of the March of Dimes, raised over $100,000 this year.

The 2005 WalkAmerica State Sponsors are Publix Super Markets and Delta Air Lines.

The country’s oldest walking event, WalkAmerica is the March of Dimes’ single largest fund-raising event, and plays a critical role in supporting the organization’s mission of preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Since its beginning 35 years ago, WalkAmerica has raised more than $1 billion nationally through walker team donations and corporate sponsorships of walk events that take place on the last weekend in April in nearly 1,500 locations across the country. 

Eighty-seven cents of every dollar raised in Georgia is spent on innovative programs that help give babies a fighting chance, including:

·         Parent Education: The March of Dimes focuses on educating pregnant women by helping them recognize the signs of preterm labor and what to do if they have them. It also provides information and emotional support to families of babies in neonatal intensive care units.

·         Medical Research: March of Dimes medical and genetic research saves babies' lives and continues to search for cures for many serious birth defects. In 2003, the March of Dimes awarded more than $13 million in grants to scientists investigating key questions related to causes of death and disability in newborns.

·         Health Care: Today, more than 9 million children have no health coverage. For many, this means that they do not get the fundamental preventive checkups, immunizations or treatments for common childhood illnesses that they deserve. March of Dimes advocacy efforts in state and federal government are making it possible for more parents to get health coverage and care for their babies and children.

For more information about participating in WalkAmerica contact the March of Dimes Georgia Chapter at 404-350-9800.

ABOUT THE MARCH OF DIMES: 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 campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth.

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