| (Indianapolis, IN)– The plight of Indiana's babies is the message behind campaign yard signs volunteers are placing in communities throughout the state this month as part of the 36th annual WalkAmerica effort to fund the March of Dimes research and community programs that fight premature birth.
"Prematurity has become a crisis for Indiana's families. Premature birth rates have climbed 23% in the past 10 years which means more than 11,500 infants, or 1 in 8, is born fighting for their lives each year in Indiana," says Tim Arndt, Senior State Director of Communications for the March of Dimes Indiana Chapter. "These campaign yard signs are for the March of Dimes Prematurity campaign. Volunteers are campaigning for the tiniest of babies. We hope people will see these signs and join the thousands of other Indiana residents at WalkAmerica and walk for someone they love."
Arndt notes that the March of Dimes is conducting a multi-year, $75 million campaign to address the growing rate of premature birth. The campaign works to create awareness of the problem, educate women on the signs and symptoms of premature birth, and to support more research into the causes. One of the goals of the campaign is to reduce the rate of premature birth by 15 percent by 2007. WalkAmerica helps support that goal.
WalkAmerica takes place in communities across Indiana. For a complete listing of sites, dates and to register, call 1-800-BIG-WALK or visit www.walkamerica.org.
You can help the March of Dimes fight this threat to the health of children. Take part in WalkAmerica in your community this spring. Call 1-800-BIG-WALK for more information or register online at www.walkamerica.org. |
