The March of Dimes has a long and distinguished history of accomplishment and wants you to know that the funds you contribute to us are spent wisely. 75% of every dime donated goes to fund programs for mothers and babies.

Here are some of the ways that support has already helped:

• Brain: When a baby is born too soon, even by few weeks, the brain and other organs haven't had time to fully develop.  March of Dimes researchers are continually working to find new ways to effectively prevent prematurity for ALL babies.
• Eyes: Blindness can be a consequence of premature birth and certain birth defects.  Scientists are studying the causes of prematurity and developing treatments to cure vision defects like retinitis pigmentosa.  
• Smile: Every year more than 6,800 babies are born with an oral cleft.  Our researchers identified a gene responsible for the condition and are developing the prevention.
• Heart: Heart defects affect 1 in every 100 babies--some minor, many severe.  Heart defects take more lives than any other birth defect. Our advances in diagnosis and surgical treatment mean better survival rates for the tiniest heart patients.
• Spine: Fewer babies are born with neural tube defects like spina bifida as a result of March of Dimes folic acid public health education and fortification campaigns.
• Lungs: Surfactant therapy and nitric oxide therapy now save the lives of tens of thousands of babies suffering from respiratory distress syndrome after being born too soon.
• Heel: Thanks to our volunteer advocacy efforts most states, including Indiana, now screen for 21 or more serious but treatable conditions.  A tiny drop of blood from a newborn's heel has the ability to help save a life.

For more information and details on how support from March for Babies and other March of Dimes campaigns contributes to saving the lives of newborns, visit About Us at marchofdimes.com or click here.