“The March of Dimes celebrates all babies, those born healthy and those who need our help to survive,” says Doug Staples, Senior Vice President, Strategic Marketing and Communications, at the March of Dimes. “And we want to give more people the chance to get involved in our efforts.  That’s why we’re inviting the public to help us create and choose a 60-second TV spot that tells a compelling story about babies.”  

Go to marchofdimes.com/videocontest to learn more about the PSA contest and learn how to register to participate.  Entries should interpret the theme “Every Baby Has a Story” to raise awareness of a serious health issue like premature birth, or lack of affordable health care coverage for pregnant women and babies, or to tell a dramatic personal experience of a baby or family. 

“One piece of advice I can give is to include both urgency and hope,” Mr. Staples said, “because we know these are very powerful motivational tools.”

All video entries must be submitted before September 28, 2007.  The entries will then be judged by the March of Dimes and up to five (5) finalists will be selected. The five finalist videos will be posted for viewing on the March of Dimes Web site during Prematurity Awareness month, between November 1 and November 30, and the public will have the opportunity to vote on them.  At the close of the voting period, the submission judged best overall by the public, as determined by the number of votes, will be declared the Grand Prize Winner.

One Grand Prize will be awarded in the form of a $5,000 check to the winning entrant.  The winning submission also will be considered by the March of Dimes as its 2008 public service announcement to broadcast and cable TV stations across the country. 

The March of Dimes community page on “YouTube” will be the vehicle used for playing the “Every Baby Has a Story” videos.

For a complete copy of the Official Rules and eligibility criteria, please go to marchofdimes.com/videocontest.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.  Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a campaign to reduce the rate of premature birth.  For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish Web language site at nacersano.org.