Sarah Travis, Community Director, March of Dimes Midlands Division, 803-403-8521, STravis@marchofdimes.com

Florence, SC, January 23, 2013 —

R. Paul Seward, Senior Vice President, City Executive for Branch Banking & Trust Co. will serve as Chair for the 2013 March for Babies event in Florence.  He is committed to helping reach the event goal of $100,000 to support March of Dimes research and community programs to help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies to begin healthy lives.  March for Babies will take place on May 4, 2013 at the Southeastern Institute for Manufacturing and Technology Building behind Florence-Darlington Technical College.

“When our local businesses and families come together for March for Babies they show the whole community the value of volunteer service and community involvement. The money we raise supports programs to help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies and it funds research to find answers to the problems that threaten babies lives” said Mr. Seward.

“We are honored to have Mr. Seward’s leadership in this key role and the support of the employees of Branch Banking & Trust” said Sarah Travis, a Community Director for the March of Dimes Midlands Division.  “2013 will mark the 75^th anniversary of the March of Dimes.  More than four million babies are born in the United States each year and the March of Dimes helps each and everyone one through vaccines, research, education and breakthroughs. March for Babies 2013 will be a part of our year long celebration of improving the health of babies.”

The most urgent infant health problem in the U.S. today is premature birth. It affects more than half a million babies each year, with the number growing every day. Babies born too soon are more likely to die or have disabilities. South Carolina received a “D” on the 2012 Prematurity Report Card released in November, with a prematurity rate of 14.1%--the fourth worst in the United States. The March of Dimes is committed to reducing this toll by funding research to find the answers to premature birth and providing comfort and information to families who are affected. Visit www.marchofdimes.com/prematurity to find out more.

Each year, the South Carolina Chapter of the March of Dimes invests in mission initiatives statewide, including research grants and local community services. Through these program services, the March of Dimes continues working to prevent birth defects and infant death, reduce South Carolina’s premature birth rate, increase access to prenatal care and educate men and women about having healthy babies.

            In Florence, March for Babies is sponsored by McLeod Regional Medical Center and Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, the 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.

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