(Indianapolis, IN) – The final March of Dimes RIDE-Bikers for Babies fund-raiser to help fight premature birth will be held on October 1, 2005 starting at Indianapolis Raceway Park at 11am and those who pre-register for the event will receive free tickets to The VP Fuels NHRA Division 3 E. T. Finals on September 17th.

March of Dimes volunteers will be at the gates at Indianapolis Raceway Park on September 17th taking registrations for the RIDE.  People who sign up to ride that day will get into the drags for free.  All interested riders can also pre-register and pay their $30.00 registration fee per motorcycle online at www.marchofdimes.com/indiana or they can call 1-800-844-9255. 

In addition to the tickets, 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.

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!

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 Janie Sue Dubbs, State Director of Corporate Development and WalkAmerica.  "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.