Tim J. Arndt, State Director of Communications and Marketing, March of Dimes Indiana Chapter, (317) 285-0191, tarndt@marchofdimes.com.

Campaign encourages consumers to shop, dine and donate wherever the March of Dimes logo is displayed.

March of Dimes, the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health, has launched a national cause  campaign titled imbornto, encouraging consumers to shop, dine and donate wherever the March of Dimes logo is displayed.  The campaign is set to raise significant support for the organizations vital research and community programs while increasing awarenss of the mission of the March of Dimes to prevent the threats to the health and lives of babies.

"The effort taps into our collective hopes, dreams and aspirations that we have for our babies and ourselves," says Cathy McNulty, Indiana Chapter State Director for March of Dimes. "The overarching message is that ‘every baby is born to do something great." Says McNulty, "the imbornto campaign illustrates that the milestones and contributions of research, vaccines, education and breakthroughs by the March of Dimes enable babies to be born healthy, stay healthy and be and do whatever they were born to do."

The campaign is utilizing a wide variety of media including print, out-of-home and digital outlets nationwide such as Real Simple, PEOPLE, Titan Outdoor, Everyday Health and USA TODAY, plus public service announcements (PSAs) and ongoing corporate partnerships in its first year out, expanding further in 2013.

Through this campaign, March of Dimes will become the “Official Partner of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.” Every time a baby is born, so are a mom and dad. There is no more resonant partner for mothers and fathers than March of Dimes, and no better time to celebrate the work of March of Dimes than Mother’s Day to Father’s Day. March of Dimes will own the time frame, creating significant opportunities for partners and products. The Foundation will partner with media, retailers, sports, entertainment and brands to become “The Official Partner of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.”

Since its founding in 1938 by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, March of Dimes has forged a distinguished path of ground breaking research and life saving advancements. Virtually every research breakthrough in maternal and infant health, from the invention of the polio vaccine to the discovered link between folic acid and neural tube birth defects, has been with the leadership, direction or participation of March of Dimes. Today, the Foundation is as important as ever.  “We are incredibly fortunate to have millions of people and businesses who tirelessly volunteer, fundraise and donate so that we can continue to do our work; however, there will always be findings to uncover, conditions to prevent, diseases to eradicate,” states Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, PhD, President of March of Dimes. “Thus, our efforts to raise awareness, financial support, and ensure an understanding of our mission are paramount.  We believe that the imbornto campaign will connect with everyone who comes across it.”

The imbornto campaign will feature a call to action encouraging consumers to shop, dine and donate where they see the March of Dimes logo during the Mother’s Day to Father’s Day timeframe. The initiative will work closely with corporate partners such as HSN, The Honest Company, ProFlowers, Destination Maternity, Kmart and Famous Footwear, and offer donation opportunities unique to each partner either on line or in store. The shopping period between Mother’s Day to Father’s Day generates $27 billion in sales each year, allowing the March of Dimes an ability to increase awareness, relevance, exposure and ultimately raise funds to support research and advancements.

About March of Dimes: The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and through its premier event, March for Babies®, 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.