Leigh-Anne Lefurge, March of Dimes, (860) 815-9353, llefurge@marchofdimes.com.
Glastonbury, Connecticut, May 08, 2012 —

Nearly 10,000 residents came out to support Connecticut’s tiniest citizens – babies -- on April 29, May 5 and 6 at nine cites across the state, and raised $1.3 million at March for Babies, the March of Dimes walk fundraiser to honor babies born healthy and those who need help to survive and thrive.  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. 

Walkers in Danbury, East Hartford, Fairfield, Middlebury, Middletown, Mystic, New Britain, New Haven, and Stamford enjoyed walks ranging from 2.5 to 4 miles, with many activities for families.  Participants heard from nine March of Dimes Ambassador families from around the state who shared their own personal journeys related to premature birth and educated the crowds about the most urgent infant health problem in the U.S. today.

Premature birth affects half a million babies each year in the United States.  In Connecticut 1 in 10 babies is born too soon, over 4,200 every year.  In November the March of Dimes issued its 4th Premature Birth Report Card, giving the nation a C and Connecticut a B.  Babies born too soon are more likely to die or have disabilities.  The March of Dimes is committed to reducing this toll by funding research to find the answers to premature birth and providing comfort and information to families who are affected. 

The March of Dimes thanks all walkers, donors, volunteers and sponsors for their support of March for Babies in Connecticut.  Photos are available online at facebook.com/marchofdimesct.

Statewide sponsors include NBC Connecticut and Comcast, March for Babies is sponsored nationally by Kmart, Farmers Insurance Group, Cigna, Famous Footwear, Sanofi Pasteur, FedEx, Mission Pharmacal, Watson Pharmaceuticals, First Response, and United Airlines.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.  Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.