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Resolutions read in the April 6, 2005 sessions of both the Indiana House and Senate. Resolutions sponsored by Representative Hinkle and Senator Lawson after grandchildren were born prematurely and saved with help of March of Dimes research.
(Indianapolis, IN, April 6, 2005)—The Indiana General Assembly made separate resolutions in each chamber naming April as March of Dimes WalkAmerica month at 10:00am at the opening of the House session and at 1:30pm as the Senate session began. Representative Phil Hinkle (GOP) and Senator Connie Lawson (GOP) sponsor the resolutions in the House and Senate after they had grandchildren born prematurely and whose lives were saved with help from March of Dimes Research.
Every year over 10,500 Indiana babies, about one in eight, are born too early and the rate is rising. Since 1993, the rate of premature birth in the Indiana has increased 23%. In half of these births, the cause is unknown. Prematurity is the leading cause of infant death and for those who survive, it could mean living with lifelong disabilities
“Prematurity is a common, serious and costly problem that affects all of us,” said Marisa Helton, Indianapolis WalkAmerica Chair. “Since we don’t know all the causes, anyone’s baby could be next. I am proud to support the March of Dimes efforts to fund research to find the causes of prematurity and what can be done to prevent it. I urge everyone in Indianapolis and across Indiana to join me at WalkAmerica. We need to work together find the answers so all babies will be born healthy and full-term.”
WalkAmerica’s national sponsors are CIGNA, Discovery Health Channel, Famous Footwear, Farmers Insurance, FedEx, Kmart, Mead Johnson Nutritionals and Prevention Magazine. Statewide sponsors include FedEx and the Cinergy Foundation.
Registration for WalkAmerica can be made online at http://www.walkamerica.org/ or by calling 1-800-BIG-WALK.
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