Collaboration Reinforces Washington University - March of Dimes Partnership

March of Dimes Missouri Chapter is pleased to announce that Dr. Larry J. Shapiro is serving as an Honorary Chair to commemorate March of Dimes 75^th Anniversary this year. As the Executive Vice Chancellor for Medical Affairs and dean of the School of Medicine at Washington University in St. Louis, Dr. Shapiro has been instrumental in the university’s efforts to showcase its scientific strengths and lead the way in medical research. 

Dr. Shapiro is a recipient of the March of Dimes Basil O’Connor Award. Like Dr. Shapiro, many talented grantees have gone on to hold leading positions in prestigious institutions and made major contributions to medical science.  

Mary Elizabeth Grimes, State Director of March of Dimes Missouri Chapter, said, “We are so pleased to have Dr. Shapiro as an honorary Chair during our anniversary year.  This partnership will build on the shared goal of March of Dimes and the University to continue to explore the scientific research and technologies to give all babies a healthy start.”

March of Dimes and Washington University School of Medicine have maintained a longstanding association and this collaboration marks a new chapter in that relationship. The school will feature March of Dimes at its annual Danforth Symposium scheduled for November 20, 2013.  “It is an honor to be named Honorary Chair to commemorate March of Dimes 75th anniversary," Shapiro said. "March of Dimes has done so much over the decades to save and improve the lives of babies. The organization has had a profound impact, one that continues to be made daily with the education it provides and the research it funds."

Over the last 75 years, March of Dimes has supported many important research milestones that have benefitted newborn and child health. The organization is currently investing almost $2 million in the research of six scientists at Washington University.

March of Dimes Funded Grants at Washington University Could Lead To:

• Treatment for infants to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
• Development of drug treatments that can control a specific gene’s function and prevent/treat preterm labor
• Development of new drugs to combat bacteria in a mother’s womb and prevent many preterm births
• Understanding of how environmental or nutritional factors affect whether or not pieces of DNA disrupt proper control of genes during development 
• Prevention of many life-threatening disorders and infections in these tiny, vulnerable babies