“The name of our event has changed, but our mission stays the same – working towards the day when every baby is born healthy,” said Peggy Humes, Site President of Citi Cards Kansas City and 2008 Kansas City March for Babies Campaign Chair. “We hope the new name will bring more people on board to help make that day a reality.”

The Kansas City March for Babies will take place Sunday, May 4 at the Kansas City Power & Light District. Registration opens at 8 a.m. and the march begins at 10 a.m. Participants can sign up today to help fund lifesaving research and educational programs aimed at helping moms have healthy babies.

Last year, 4,600 walkers raised more than $1.1 million in Kansas City – despite severe weather that cancelled the event. Funds raised by March for Babies support local research grants focused on issues related to premature birth and community programs such as NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) Family Support at Saint Luke’s Hospital.

The mission priority of the March of Dimes is to fight the growing crisis of prematurity. By engaging more people in its mission and educating more pregnant women and moms about healthy babies, the March of Dimes hopes to reach that goal much sooner.

The new name of its premier event is part of a larger March of Dimes initiative focused on all babies—those born healthy as well as those who need help to survive and thrive. The March of Dimes also has released a new public service advertising campaign, and is offering pregnant women and moms new medical information in new ways that fit their active lifestyle, including email, podcasts, and text messaging.

In 2008, national March for Babies sponsors are CIGNA, Continental Airlines, Famous Footwear, Farmers, FedEx, Grain Foods Foundation, Liberty Tax Services, nesting.com, and Kmart, the March of Dimes number one corporate partner which has raised more than $63 million for babies.  Additional national sponsorship is provided by Discovery Health, Mead Johnson Nutritionals, Outdoor Services and Ther-Rx.

“In Kansas City, we are proud also to be sponsored by Sprint, Farmers Insurance, Citi, Black & Veatch and Overland Park Regional Medical Center,” Humes said. Local media sponsors are Time Warner Cable, The Kansas City Star, Hot 103 Jamz, Gospel 1590 KPRT, 94.9 KCMO, 95.7 The Vibe and Magic 107.3.

For more information about March for Babies, or to register to participate at the Kansas City Power & Light District on May 4, visit marchforbabies.org, call 1-800-525-9255 or pick up sponsor forms at Kmart or Famous Footwear.

About March of Dimes
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health.  With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies.