Motorcyclists Raise Funds to Help Prevent Premature Birth in annual events

(Indianapolis, IN) - An estimated 1,000 motorcyclists will join in the March of Dimes RIDE-Bikers for Babies fund-raiser to help fight premature birth this summer as events are held in Seymour, Evansville, and Indianapolis from August 27th through October 1, 2005.  This event is open to club riders, new riders and anyone who cares about babies. The American Motorcycle Association sanctions all March of Dimes RIDE/Bikers for Babies events. All motorcycles welcome, rain or shine!
All interested riders can pre-register for $30.00 per motorcycle by contacting the March of Dimes at 1-800-244-9255 or online at www.marchofdimes.com/indiana. Those who register their bike will receive a March of Dimes RIDE/Bikers for Babies T-shirt as a thank you for helping the March of Dimes save babies' lives. Additional riders are $10 per rider.

RIDE-Bikers for Babies in Indiana will be held:

• August 27, 2005 in Evansville, IN.
• September 10, 2005 in Seymour, IN
• October 1, 2005 in Indianapolis, IN

Registered riders are also eligible to earn other prizes by collecting donations to the March of Dimes.  Each registered rider will receive a collection envelope that they can use before participating in the event to collect contributions from family, friends and other motorcycle enthusiasts who care about the health of infants. 

"Premature birth is a bigger problem than most people think. By riding in this event, you will support March of Dimes efforts to raise awareness of the problem and support research to save babies right here in Indianapolis and across the nation," says Tim Arndt, Sr. State Director of Communications and Marketing for the Indiana Chapter.  "Premature birth affects more than 1 in 8 babies in Indiana each year and the rates are rising.  It is the leading cause of death in the first month of life."

If you're interested in participating but can't ride, contact the March of Dimes at (317) 262-4668 and ask how you can be part of the event and help the March of Dimes save babies' lives.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth 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. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish language Web site at nacersano.org.