(April, 2008) — The March of Dimes South Carolina Chapter is pleased to announce that BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina will be a multi-site sponsor for March for Babies in South Carolina.  Formerly known as WalkAmerica, March for Babies is the March of Dimes’ premier fundraising event that benefits all babies—those born healthy as well as those who need help to survive and thrive. 

 “We are proud to be part of this important community event to ensure that every baby has a healthy start in life,” said David Pankau, president of  S.C. BlueCross’ BlueCross BlueShield Division.  “Everyone can be a champion for baby health by signing up for March for Babies.” Over the past 10 years BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina employees have raised more than $391,000 for this event.

 Premature birth touches half a million babies and their families every year, including 168 babies in South Carolina in an average week. Babies born too soon are more likely to die or have disabilities.  More than 120,000 babies are born with serious birth defects that can mean a lifetime of disability. Babies born healthy need champions, too, to be sure they have access to newborn screening and preventive health care. The March of Dimes is there for all babies.

 March for Babies sites sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield include Horry County, Charleston, Columbia, Greenville and Florence. In Greenville, March for Babies will be held Saturday, April 26 at Greenville Technical College. Registration is at 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.  Call 235-8576. Dates and times for March for Babies events can be found at marchofdimes.com/southcarolina.

 Participants in March for Babies raise money to help fund life-saving research and educational programs aimed at helping moms have healthy babies.  Funds raised by March for Babies support vital research to find ways to end premature birth, and support local programs to help educate healthcare providers and pregnant women and to increase access to prenatal care.

 Last year, the South Carolina March of Dimes invested more than $4.2 million in program services, including research grants and local community services.  Through these grants, the March of Dimes is seeking ways to prevent birth defects and infant death, reduce South Carolina’s increasing premature birth rate, increase access to prenatal care and educate men and women about having healthy babies.

 In Greenville, March for Babies is also sponsored by Greenville Hospital System, Michelin, Bi-Lo, Carolina First, News Channel 7, The Greenville News, and Upstate Parent.

 South Carolina Multi-site Sponsors:  Wachovia, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Carolina First Bank, Founders Federal Credit Union.

 In 2008, national March for Babies sponsors are CIGNA, Continental Airlines, Famous Footwear, Farmers, FedEx, Grain Foods Foundation, Liberty Tax Services, nesting.com, and Kmart, the March of Dimes number one corporate partner which has raised more than $63 million for babies.  Additional national sponsorship is provided by Discovery Health, Mead Johnson Nutritionals, Outdoor Services and Ther-Rx.

 For more information about March for Babies, or to register visit marchforbabies.org, call 252-5200.