Hundreds of teams organized by businesses, fraternal organizations, and families followed the 5 kilometer rolling course from the lower Muny parking lot.  Some 10,000 turned out on a brilliant spring day.

 “St. Louisans again demonstrated their generosity,” said 2008 March for Babies chair George Paz, President and CEO of Express Scripts.  “They showed they are true champions for babies.”

 Paz noted that corporate sponsorships totaled more than $360,000 -- a record for the St. Louis event.  Even with softening economy, this year’s total surpassed last year by about $50,000.  “Companies know the importance of fighting premature births because of the rising costs of this public health crisis,” he said.

 The dollars raised at March for Babies in St. Louis and 13 other Missouri cities provide some of the funding for the more than $4.2 million the March of Dimes is investing this year in Missouri for community services, education, research, and advocacy.

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.

 Locally, March for Babies is sponsored by Express Scripts, Clear Channel Radio-St. Louis, Emmis Radio-St. Louis, KMOV-TV, St. Louis Business Journal, Nestlé Purina, and Clayco.

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 by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.  For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.  For Missouri news, visit marchofdimes.com/missouri.