Greater Cincinnati -- September, 2008 – Business leaders, friends, and family will be flocking to the JW Denver Williams Park on Saturday, September 27th for the nation’s oldest walk of its kind…an event where every walker makes a difference! March for Babies, formerly known as WalkAmerica, benefits all babies—those born healthy as well as those who need help to survive and thrive. Proceeds from the March for Babies go towards the March of Dimes mission to prevent premature birth, birth defects, and infant mortality. This year’s walk event includes 5-miles of beautiful, winding scenery (there’s also an alternative 2-mile family route), awards, door prizes, goody bags, and free food from the new “Taste of” area featuring popular local restaurants! Registration begins promptly at 9:00a.m. and the walk begins at 10:00a.m. Anyone interested in participating can register the morning of, or can go online at www.marchforbabies.org or by calling 513-769-3588.
     “I am proud that Clinton and Highland Counties are so dedicated to the health and happiness of all babies,” said Lisa Depenhart, 2008 March for Babies Organizer. “The efforts made and money raised by our volunteers each year help the March of Dimes achieve its goal of ensuring that every baby has a healthy start in life that much sooner. This is a great event with an even better cause! ”
     Premature birth touches half a million babies and their families every year. 360 babies are born preterm each week in just the state of Ohio. Babies born too soon are more likely to die or have disabilities. More than 120,000 babies are born with serious birth defects that can mean a lifetime of disability. Babies born healthy need champions, too, to ensure they have access to newborn screening and preventive health care. The March of Dimes is there for all babies.
     Money raised during the March for Babies in Clinton and Highland Counties supports the Ohio Chapter’s mission to fund valuable research projects, community programs, educational opportunities for women of child-bearing age, and advocacy efforts to improve the health of mothers and children.
     Local sponsors for 2008 include: DHL Express, ABX Air, Technicolor Cinema Services, Astar Air Cargo, Liberty Savings Bank, Siemens, Clinton Memorial Hospital, Wilmington Savings Bank, and APA Teamsters Union.
     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.

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. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.