MAY 14, 2008 – For the third consecutive year, Farmers Insurance Group agents will hold “Be a Hero for Babies Day” on June 3, aiming to raise more than $2 million for March of Dimes research and education programs to help moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies.

 Last year, Farmers raised $2.7 million in an historic one-day fundraising effort, exceeding their goal.  Again this year, Farmers is matching all donations made on marchofdimes.com/farmers up to $250,000.

“Be a Hero for Babies shows a commitment by Farmers district managers and agents across the country to help the March of Dimes improve the health of babies,’’ says Paul Hopkins, CEO of Farmers Insurance Group. “It’s our goal to bring babies back where they belong – healthy and strong.”

Through activities such as carwashes, golf outings, pancake breakfasts, and pie-throwing contests, Farmers agents are doing their part to build a brighter future for all families. For example, in Lynnwood, Washington, more than 60 Farmers agents held a “Bowling for Babies” event, pitching for strikes in an effort to help babies born prematurely. 

“On behalf of all of our agents, we’re honored to help premature babies and their families,” said Farmers District Manager Gary Blake. "All of the proceeds raised go directly to the March of Dimes."

The national preterm birth rate is 12.7 percent, which means that more than 540,000 infants are born too soon each year.  Late preterm babies -- those born at 34 to 36 weeks gestation (full term is birth at 37 completed weeks gestation) -- account for 71 percent of all premature births.  And babies born just a few weeks premature are six times more likely to die during their first week of life. They also have a greater likelihood of developing respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), feeding difficulties, hypothermia (temperature instability), jaundice and to have less mature brain development than full-term babies.

“I challenge everyone to visit marchofdimes.com/farmers or their local Farmers agent to make a donation to help the March of Dimes end this national prematurity crisis for babies and their families,’’ said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes.  “Someone once said,     ‘heroism is not only in the man but in the occasion.’  The activities of Farmers agents has made ‘Be a Hero for Babies Day’ an occasion that showcases the ingenuity, humanity, compassion and generosity of everyone who makes it possible, and we are so grateful to all of them.”

As the nation’s third-largest personal property and casualty insurance group, Farmers is committed to improving the communities where their customers, agents and employees live and work. Farmers’ commitment to the March of Dimes spans more than a decade and includes more than $12 million to “get babies back where they belong – healthy and strong.”

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for BabiesSM, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.