One such team was The School District of Philadelphia.  Administrators, teachers, students and their families joined together to support the March of Dimes.  This year, the Philadelphia School District efforts were quite impressive, raising more than $125,000 to support March of Dimes programs to give every baby a healthy start in life.  Their successful campaign also earned the school district the distinction of Pennsylvania’s Top March for Babies School Team among the 674 Pennsylvania schools that registered. 

This is the second year for The School District of Philadelphia’s participation in March for Babies.  In 2009, they raised $82,000 surpassing their goal by $22,000.  In 2010, they set an aggressive goal of $100,000 and exceeded that by more than $25,000. The School District recently presented a check to the March of Dimes. At the check presentation to the March of Dimes leadership, Dr. Ackerman was joined by representatives from The School District of Philadelphia.

“I want to personally thank everyone who participated on our March for Babies team,” said Dr. Arlene Ackerman, Superintendent of the Philadelphia School District, and this year’s March for Babies Honorary Youth Chair.  “Many people are not aware that one in eight babies in this nation is born premature.  Among African American families, one in six babies is born preterm.  Premature birth and low birthweight are the leading cause of newborn death. “

“Babies who survive a premature birth face the risk of serious life-long health problems including learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, blindness, hearing loss, and other chronic conditions including asthma.  As educators, we see the impact that preterm birth has on the academic performance of our school children here in Philadelphia.  We are proud to support March for Babies in funding research that will improve birth outcomes and improve the lives of our children.“

Funds raised by March for Babies help support prenatal wellness programs, research grants, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) family support programs and advocacy efforts for stronger, healthier babies. 

Currently, the March of Dimes is investing more than $4.1 million in research and programs in Pennsylvania alone.  Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Drexel University College of Medicine - St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Magee-Womens Research Institute-University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania State University, The Wistar Institute and Thomas Jefferson University are among the Pennsylvania hospitals and institutions conducting March of Dimes supported research.  Pennsylvania Community Service Grants support pilot programs at Pennsylvania Hospital, Hamot Medical Center, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Family Medicine Collaboration, Abington Memorial Hospital, Jefferson University Hospital, Jefferson OB Department and Children’s Hospital of UPMC.

In 2010 national March for Babies sponsors are Kmart, the March of Dimes’ No. 1 corporate supporter, CIGNA, Famous Footwear, Farmers Insurance Group, FedEx and Mission Pharmacal.

In Philadelphia, March for Babies is sponsored by CIGNA, FedEx, Health Partners, University of Phoenix, UnitedHealthcare, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children and NBC10.  Geisinger Health System is the March of Dimes Pennsylvania Prematurity Partner.