Samantha Harris today hosted the 5th Annual March of Dimes Celebration of Babies luncheon at the Four Season Hotel here. The event is sponsored by the March of Dimes, the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health.
Celebration of Babies recognizes prominent individuals, including Hollywood moms and dads, who are celebrating the birth of their children and who are role models for March of Dimes’ commitment to improving the health of babies. The 2010 March of Dimes’ Celebrity Volunteers, or “Stork Club,” includes Sarah Chalke & Jamie Afifi, Ali Larter & Hayes MacArthur, Joey & Chandie Lawrence, Tiffani Thiessen & Brady Smith, Jenna Elfman & Bodhi Elfman, Rock Harper & Tamara Harper, Lisa Leslie & Michael Locke, and Maria Quiban & Sean Whitesell. The “Stork Club” members are individuals who have had or are expecting babies in 2010.
Prior Stork Club members include, Nicole Richie & Joel Madden, Tori Spelling & Dean McDermott, Nancy O’Dell, Julie Bowen & Scott Phillips, Nicole Sullivan & Jason Packham, Alimi & Dahn Ballard, Kellie Martin & Keith Christian, Melissa Joan Hart & Mark Wilkerson, Lauren Sanchez & Patrick Whitesell, Hank Azaria and Katie Wright, and Diane Farr & Seung Chung.
In attendance were Storks Club Celebrity Volunteers Sarah Chalke & Jamie Afifi, Joey & Chandie Lawrence, Chef Rock Harper & Tamara Harper, Lisa Leslie & Michael Locke, and Maria Quiban & Sean Whitesell. Also in attendance were Julie Bowen, Laila Ali, Sean Patrick Thomas & Aonika Laurent Thomas, Kelly Price, Nicole Sullivan, Kellie Martin & Keith Christian, Marisa Coughlan, Ian and Erin Ziering, Kent King, Minae Noji, and Cleon King. Joshua Hoffman, age 7, March of Dimes 2010 National Ambassador, told the crowd his own story of surviving a premature birth. Go to public.me.com/endusermod for video clips from the red carpet and luncheon.
The Celebration of Babies luncheon also honored three individuals who exemplify the March of Dimes commitment to improving the health of babies by helping moms have a healthy full term pregnancy. Dr. Amy Stenson, Obstetrician/Gynecologist, receives the Global Impact Award, given to an individual who has had a positive global impact in preventing premature birth, birth defects, and infant mortality. Dr. Charles Simmons, Jr., Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, is being awarded the Golden Rattle Award, which is given to an individual who advocates for babies and who shares the goal that every baby be given a healthy start. Dr. Jenn Berman, Psychotherapist, Sport Psychologist, Consultant Author, Speaker and Media Figure, receives the Community Award, presented to an individual or organization that shares the March of Dimes commitment to improve the health of babies and does so by reaching out to the moms and babies in the community.
The Celebration of Babies luncheon commemorates March of Dimes Prematurity Awareness Month, a time when the organization galvanizes the nation around the serious problem of preterm birth.
Premature birth is the #1 cause of death during the first month of life. Even babies born just a few weeks too soon can face serious health challenges and are at risk for lifelong disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, lung problems, and vision and hearing loss. March of Dimes provides more information about premature birth at marchofdimes.org/fight.
Top Photo Caption: March of Dimes Los Angeles Celebrity Volunteer Mom, actress Julie Bowen, at the March of Dimes Celebration of Babies today at the Four Seasons Hotel here.
Bottom Photo Caption: Celebrity Moms-to-be actress Marisa Coughlan and March of Dimes Celebration of Babies 2010 host Samantha Harris of Entertainment Tonight in the garden of the Four Season Hotel here today. Both are outfitted by event sponsor A Pea In the Pod. Photos by Anthony Masters Photography