(Portland, OR), (April 26, 2008) — Approximately 4,000 Portland metropolitan area residents joined together to raise $700,000 for March for Babies, formerly known as WalkAmerica, to benefit all babies—those born healthy as well as those who need help to survive and thrive. The Greater Oregon Chapter expects to raise $1.2 million in 19 March for Babies sites throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington.

“I am proud that Portland residents joined together to support the health of all babies,” said Celia Wheeler, State March for Babies Director. “The efforts made and money raised by our volunteers this year will help the March of Dimes achieve its goal of ensuring that every baby has a healthy start in life that much sooner.”

Premature birth touches half a million babies and their families every year including 1 in 10 in Oregon – a 17% increase in the last decade. 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.

Of the money raised today, 77 cents of each dollar will be spent on research and programs to help find ways to protect and defend our babies’ health.

In Portland, March for Babies was an exciting event.  Deb Knapp of KATU and Amy Foust of The Wolf emceed the morning show. Greg Goodwin, CEO of Kuni Automotive, was introduced as the 2009 March for Babies State Chair; Marilyn Spear received an award for her 40 years of volunteerism with March of Dimes; young artists from KinderCare displayed and sold their art and Five Guys Named Moe played to welcome walkers back.

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.

“In Portland we are proud also to be sponsored by PacificSource Health Plans, KeyBank, Dex, Big 5, Stoel Rives, Knowledge Learning Corporation, First Tech Credit Union, KATU, Univision, 105.1 The Buzz, 99.5 The Wolf, The Fan 1080 AM, and MOM Magazine,” Denise Townsend, Director of Special Events, said.