St. Louis March for Babies Set for April 27

For the second year, St. Louis Cardinals President, Bill DeWitt III will chair the St. Louis Division March for Babies event on April 27, 2013.  According to DeWitt, “As president of the St. Louis Cardinals, I have the good fortune of working with a great organization.  Another great organization that does so much for our community is March of Dimes.  As March of Dimes celebrates its 75^th birthday, it continues to be a critical service provider and advocate for healthy babies both locally and throughout the country.”

March for Babies is the March of Dimes largest annual fundraising event. Last year, more than 10,000 people attended the St. Louis walk and raised approximately $1.1 million.  The St. Louis event is one of the ten largest in the country.

According to Mary Elizabeth Grimes, State Director of March of Dimes Missouri Chapter, “I couldn’t be happier having Bill DeWitt on board for 2013.  It takes community leaders, like Bill, working together to make the event a success.  The Cardinals bring such great enthusiasm to March for Babies and with this year being our 75^th anniversary, we will be ready to celebrate in Forest Park!”

Funds raised in St. Louis support community education, research and advocacy to help all moms have full term babies and healthy pregnancies.  March of Dimes is investing almost $2 million in the research of six scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and funding a “centering pregnancy” program of group prenatal care offered through Saint Louis University and Grace Hill Neighborhood Health Center.  Additionally, the Missouri Chapter is helping the Midwest Health Initiative bring together physicians, hospitals, the business community, community organizations, health plans, and others to reduce the number of early elective deliveries before 39 weeks of pregnancy. 

The 2013 St. Louis March for Babies is Saturday, April 27 in the Upper Muny Lot at Forest Park.  Additionally, there are two Metro East walks planned:  April 20 in Edwardsville and May 11 in Sauget.  March for Babies information is available here.