Asheville, North Carolina , February 05, 2013 —

Local business leaders are working with the March of Dimes to prevent preterm birth to give more babies a healthy start in life.

Today we are pleased to announce that Asheville business leader Dr. Jill Hoggard Green has taken on the role of March for Babies Chair.  Dr. Hoggard Green, PhD, RN, President of Mission Hospital and Mission Medical Associates is also a proud mother of two children born prematurely, making her commitment to the good health of moms and babies personal and meaningful.

In 2013, the March of Dimes celebrates its 75th Anniversary and its ongoing work to help babies get a healthy start in life.  Early research led to the Salk and Sabin polio vaccines that all babies still receive.  Other breakthroughs include new treatments for premature infants and children with birth defects.  About 4 million babies are born each year in the United States, and all have benefitted from March of Dimes lifesaving research and education.

“I am honored to be working with the March of Dimes. I can’t think of a more important cause than our babies,” said Dr. Hoggard Green.  “Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death.  More than 700 babies in Asheville were admitted to Mission Children’s Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit in 2012.  It takes leaders in our community working together to ensure that moms have healthy pregnancies and that we bring that number down.”

March for Babies is the March of Dimes’ largest annual fundraising event. As March for Babies Chair,   Dr. Hoggard Green will play an integral role in raising awareness and gaining funding to advance the scientific research and educational programs at the core of the March of Dimes’ efforts to prevent preterm birth and birth defects. Known throughout Asheville for her fundraising skills, Dr. Hoggard Green will bring added leadership to March for Babies by recruiting a team of high impact volunteers whose focus will be raising new dollars for the event.

“We are honored to have Dr. Jill Hoggard Green serve as the 2013 honorary chair,” said Jonathan Bailey, Board Chairman for the Pisgah Division of the March of Dimes North Carolina Chapter. “Jill’s demonstrated drive, dedication and passion for improving the health of our smallest of babies in the community and at Mission Health make her an ideal leader for this year’s walk.  We are confident that the 2013 March for Babies will be the best yet!”

Asheville residents can sign up today at www.marchforbabies.org and start a team with co-workers, family and friends. Last year, more than 1,000 people attended the event -- which will be held this year on Saturday, April 20th at Pack Square Park in thriving downtown Asheville In 2013, the March of Dimes celebrates its 75th Anniversary and its ongoing work to help babies get a healthy start in life.  Early research led to the Salk and Sabin polio vaccines that all babies still receive.  Other breakthroughs include new treatments for premature infants and children with birth defects.  About 4 million babies are born each year in the United States, and all have benefitted from March of Dimes lifesaving research and education.

The 2013 March for Babies is sponsored nationally by the March of Dimes number one corporate supporter Kmart, Farmers Insurance Group, Macy’s, Cigna, Sanofi Pasteur, Famous Footwear, Actavis, Mission Pharmacal, and United Airlines.