(Chicago, 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 Kim Byas, Board Chairman. “This new name for the oldest walk in America is our renewed commitment to making that day a reality.”

In Chicago, March for Babies will take place on Sunday, April 27 at 9 a.m. at the Lakefront (Grant Park). Chicago residents can sign up today to help fund lifesaving research and educational programs aimed at helping moms have healthy babies. Last year, over 20,000 residents participated in the state of Illinois, raising over $3 million to fund community programs, activities, education and research.

In the surrounding areas of Chicago, residents can also sign up to walk on April 27 in DuPage County, Lake County, Fox Valley, the North suburbs and the South suburbs.  To find the walk site nearest you, call the Illinois chapter at (312)435-4007.

Byas 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.

The March of Dimes, partnering with the Grain Foods Foundation recently announced the creation of a new Folic Acid for a Healthy Pregnancy seal that will be featured on select products at retail locations to help women quickly and easily identify grain products that are enriched with folic acid.  Daily consumption of folic acid beginning before pregnancy is crucial because birth defects of the brain and spine known as neural tube defects (NTDs), such as spina bifida, can occur in the early weeks following conception, often before a woman knows she is pregnant.  The March of Dimes urges all women of childbearing age to consume 400 micrograms of folic acid daily beginning before pregnancy and continuing into the early months of pregnancy. 

For more information about March for Babies, or to register to participate at any of the Chicagoland locations on April 27, visit marchforbabies.org, call 1-800-525-9255 or get sponsor forms at Kmart or Famous Footwear.

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 nacersano.org.