(The Dalles, OR, March 21, 2008)—Residents of The Gorge will hit the streets April 12th to benefit March of Dimes and raise money to help all babies be born healthy. March for Babies (renamed from WalkAmerica) is the March of Dimes largest fundraising event and brought in $117 million nationwide last year to help fund the mission for healthy babies.

The Gorge March for Babies will take place on April 12th at 9am at Kiwanis Pocket Park in The Dalles. Last year, 84 residents participated in The Gorge event, raising over $16,000. Funds raised by March for Babies supports:
• research to find ways to prevent premature birth and birth defects,
• education for women about the signs of preterm labor and what to do if they have them, and
• advocating for expanded newborn screening and greater access to health insurance for mothers and babies.
By signing up for the walk today, our community can help more babies be born healthy tomorrow.

Brandi George, Eastern Oregon Community Director emphasized that the mission priority of March of Dimes is to fight the growing crisis of prematurity.   “Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death and we are committed to reducing its toll,” she said.  “By engaging more people in our mission, and educating more pregnant women and moms about healthy babies, we hope to reach that goal much sooner.”

In addition to a new name, March for Babies has a new Web site. Interested walkers and donors can visit marchforbabies.org or call toll-free 1-800-525-9255 to sign up as an individual, start a corporate, family or friends team, or donate to help babies be born healthy.

The new name of its premier event is part of a larger March of Dimes initiative focused on all babies—those born healthy as well as those who need help to survive and thrive. The March of Dimes also has released a new public service advertising campaign, and is offering pregnant women and moms new medical information in new ways that fit their active lifestyle, including email, podcasts, and text messaging.

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.

“Locally we are proud to also be sponsored by PacificSource, KeyBank, First Tech Credit Union, KATU, Univision, Dex, Big 5 and Columbia River Bank,” Ms. George said.

For more information about March for Babies, or to register to participate at Kiwanis Pocket Park on April 12th, visit marchforbabies.org, call 1-800-525-9255 or get sponsor forms at Kmart or Famous Footwear.