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Thousands in New Jersey Walked for Someone They Love To Help All Babies Be Born Healthy
05-May-05 |
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On Sunday, May 1, thousands of people from New Jersey neighborhoods and businesses came together for March of Dimes WalkAmerica. They are expected to raise more $3.8 million in support of the March of Dimes efforts to save babies from premature birth. It is anticipated that each New Jersey WalkAmerica site will meet its goals as well. The annual fund raiser supports research, education, community programs and advocacy to help prevent premature birth, a leading cause of newborn death and a major cause of lifelong disabilities. Volunteers, who were asked to walk for someone they love, enthusiastically participated in teams, with their families and as individuals.
Premature birth is a serious problem that has increased 29 percent since 1981, affecting more than 470,000 babies every year, or one out of every eight. It takes a tremendous financial, emotional and physical toll on babies and their families, and in more than half the cases, happens for unknown causes.
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“It’s wonderful to see so many people from our great state of New Jersey come out to walk today” said Fred Abbate, Chapter Chair and Executive Director of the New Jersey Utilities Association. “I know we can make an enormous difference in the fight to find out why premature birth happens and what can be done to prevent it. Over the past 67 years, the March of Dimes has saved millions of babies from death and disability and the money we raised this year will go to saving countless more. It is our hope that one day, no baby will be born too soon and all babies will be born healthy.” Abbate said.
In 2005, the national sponsors for WalkAmerica are CIGNA, Discovery Health Channel, Famous Footwear, Farmers Insurance, FedEx, Kmart, Mead Johnson Nutritionals and Prevention Magazine. New Jersey WalkAmerica sponsors include Pfizer, Wachovia Bank, PSEG, Sovereign Bank and FedEx.
The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies, and in 2003 launched a five-year campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish Web site at nacersano.org.
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