Annual report

• Millions of volunteers and donors made mission goals possible.
• Despite a revenue drop, the budget was balanced at year end.
• More than $20 million was invested in research in 2009.

Moms and families can rest assured. Even in a shaky economy we are still working to help prevent the problems that put babies at risk. We are still reaching out to moms. We are still supporting research that helps improve babies’ health.

Our efforts are paying off. In 2009, moms benefited directly when March of Dimes advocacy efforts led to the expansion of health coverage for pregnant women and children. Moms also benefited from our media outreach, which raised awareness of the benefits of H1N1 flu shots, folic acid and the risks of elective c-sections. Families benefited from the expansion of the NICU Family Support program.

Behind the scenes, $20 million dollars was invested in research to further study prematurity, birth defects and infant mortality. The ultimate goal is to prevent health problems so that all babies can be born healthy. Even globally, we are making a difference, with the release of our white paper containing the first global estimates of preterm birth.

With each year, we are getting closer to achieving our goal of all healthy babies.