Tim Arndt, Sr. State Director of Communications and Marketing
Cell: 752-2532  
Office: 262-4668 ext. 227 and tarndt@marchofdimes.com

4,000 STEPPED UP TO SAVE BABIES
$258,500 Raised to Fight Premature Birth

(Indianapolis, IN April 29, 2007)—Indianapolis came together by the thousands to raise more than $258,500 in support of the March of Dimes fight to save babies from premature birth – the leading killer of newborns – and other serious threats to infant health at the Indianapolis WalkAmerica on Sunday April 29th.   As the March of Dimes biggest annual fund-raiser, WalkAmerica helps support the innovative research and programs needed to find out what causes prematurity and how it can be prevented.

“I am proud that Indianapolis joined the millions of compassionate people across the country that supports WalkAmerica every year,” said Janie Sue Dubbs, State Director of Development for the March of Dimes. “We are making a difference by giving hope to families.  Hope to give all babies the gift of a healthy start,” Dubbs said.

Babies are in serious need of help.  More than half a million babies are born too soon every year.  Many die.  More than 120,000 babies are born with serious birth defects that can mean a lifetime of disability.  With the money raised in WalkAmerica, the March of Dimes is working to save babies from premature birth and birth defects through top-level research into causes and preventions.  The March of Dimes also brings information and emotional support to families who have had a premature or sick baby who is being treated in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

 In 2007, National WalkAmerica Sponsors are CIGNA, Continental Airlines, Famous Footwear, Farmers Insurance, FedEx and Kmart, the March of Dimes number one corporate partner who has raised more than $55.5 million to save babies.  Additional national sponsorship is provided by Discovery Health, Grain Foods Foundation, Mead Johnson Nutritionals and Outdoor Services. “We are proud to be sponsored locally ADESA, Inc., AFC Automotive Finance Corporation, St. Vincent Women’s Hospital and Flagstar Bank,” Dubbs said.  Says Dubbs, “We thankful for the continued sponsorship of FedEx, Duke Energy, The Fineberg Group, and our friends at Clarian Health Women’s Services as well as our media partners at WISH-TV, WZPL, 107.9 the Track and WXNT-AM 1430.”

The March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.  For more information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org for Spanish.