Premature Birth is the Number One Cause of Newborn Death in the First Month of Life

Mark Mills and his wife, Raj, have organized a fundraising bike tour to benefit the March of Dimes.  Supporting him on his 2-day ride are 3 other novice cyclists, calling themselves the C.C. Riders.  They will begin their journey at the March of Dimes national headquarters in White Plainns, NY, on Friday, June 26, and arrive at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia on Saturday, June 28.  To date, the C.C. Riders have raised over $15,000 for the March of Dimes. 

"I have been involved with the March of Dimes for a few years now by being team captain of March of Dimes walks.  Since my daughter was born, I wanted to go beyond the walk to raise money, so this is how we (the C.C. Riders) came up with the idea," says Mills.

The team name, C.C. Riders, is in honor of the Mills' twin daughters, Chessa and Chloe, who were delivered prematurely at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.  Chessa did not survive the pregnancy, while her twin sister, Chloe, was born ten weeks prematurely, weighing just 2lbs., 7oz.  Chloe spent seven weeks in the intensive care nursery.  Chloe did survive her preterm birth and now is a beautiful and active two-year-old.  She lives with her parents and newborn baby brother, who was born full term, in Montgomery County, PA.

WHAT:                                                                                                                                                                                            2nd Annual Bike Ride for Babies--Father and mother organize fundraising bike ride from White Plains, NY, to Philadelphia, PA, in honor of their twin daughters.

WHEN & WHERE:                                                                                                                                                                             Saturday, June 28, 2008; 5:00 p.m.- cyclists and support team to arrive at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

WHO:      
• Mark Mills and wife, Raj, March of Dimes mission parents, and team captains for March for Babies, the March of Dimes largest fundraising event.
• The C.C. Riders, 4 novice cyclists riding from NY To PA.
• Intensive Care Nursery staff from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
• March of Dimes staff.

The March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.  For more information visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org for Spanish.